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A new era for Indian cricket has begun with Rahul Dravid taking over from Ravi Shastri as the head coach of national side. The first assignment for 'The Wall' is India hosting New Zealand for a 3-match T20I series, followed by 2 Tests. And what a way this is to kick off things! Rahul Dravid's men now lead the T20I series 1-0 after winning the game in Jaipur, courtesy a sensational knock from Suryakumar Yadav alongside Rohit Sharma's brilliance. This all happened after R Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar choked New Zealand to a fighting total.
The schedule of India vs NZ series is as follows:
1st T20I: November 17 (Jaipur) [India won by 5 wickets]
2nd T20I: November 19 (Ranchi)
3rd T20I: November 21 (Kolkata)
1st Test: November 25-29 (Kanpur)
2nd Test: December 3-7 (Mumbai)
12: 10 PM: Martin Guptill on the verge of becoming highest run-scorer in T20Is
New Zealand will be facing India in Ranchi in 2nd T20I after losing 1st match by 5 wickets in Jaipur. Kiwi opener Martin Guptill needs 11 more runs to surpass Virat Kohli and become highest run-scorer in T20Is. If NZ win 2nd T20I, then they will become first team to win 10 T20Is against India. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma needs 1 more six to complete 450 sixes in international cricket.
9:50 PM - Will the match get postponed?
Notably, a PIL has been filed by lawyer Dheeraj Kumar against opening of 100 % seats to spectators in the 2nd T20I to be held at JSCA Stadium on Friday. He has demanded that either the match should be postponed or it should take place with 50% seat capacity.
"When the state temples, all the courts and other offices are also working with 50 percent staff regarding the corona infection, then under which rule did the state government allow the cricket stadium to be used with 100 percent capacity," the lawyer asked.
8:10 PM - Here is how fans welcomed India in Ranchi
6:35 PM - Check out the fantasy tips for 2nd T20I
We are just around 24 hours away from the toss of 2nd T20I and if you are wondering what to do, you can check out the fantasy tips for the highly-anticipated clash in Ranchi. Check it out here!
5:35 PM - Team India have arrived in Ranchi
Suryakumar Yadav posted a story on his Instagram account after Team India reached Ranchi from Jaipur on Friday.
4:30 PM - Ashwin and Iyer click a selfie on India's flight to Ranchi
4:00 PM - India's Test specialists preparing for the upcoming series
3:50 PM - Harbhajan told me ‘you will be KKR’s find this season': Venkatesh
Venkatesh Iyer, who made his debut for India in the 1st T20I, has revealed that Harbhajan Singh had shown trust on his skills and abilities even before he came into the playing XI of KKR in IPL 2021.
“Harbhajan Singh told me straight to my face when the IPL began. I was not even a part of the set-up and he saw me in a couple of net sessions. He told me ‘you will be KKR’s find this season; I have complete faith in you and when you get the opportunity, you will definitely be able to do it’,” Iyer said.
The all-rounder notably scored a vital boundary on his very first delivery of international career in the final over of match in Jaipur.
3:05 PM - Ashwin was indeed delighted with the victory
2:35 PM - Who might replace Mohammed Siraj in 2nd T20I?
Mohammed Siraj notably split his webbing (left hand) during the 1st T20I, which might rule him out for remainder of the series. Reflecting on his replacement for 2nd T20I in Ranchi, Dinesh Karthik said, “Both of them (Avesh and Harshal) are bowling at the best of their careers so far… So you can blindly play any one of them. I personally feel Harshal Patel will be better because obviously, you know, the change of pace in Ranchi [which is a] slightly slow wicket."
"Avesh Khan is very good with slower ones as well but Harshal Patel is bowling with such good rhythm that you want to give him the opportunity and see what he brings to the table. But another way you look at it is – you have somebody who bowls 135 in Deepak Chahar and Bhuvi. If you want someone with more pace then the option is Avesh Khan. It’s a good headache to have,” added Karthik while speaking to Cricbuzz.
2:07 PM - Team India leave for Ranchi
1:17 PM - “It’s my wife’s birthday, a perfect gift from him," SKY on his catch getting dropped by Boult
Notably, Boult had dropped Suryakumar Yadav's catch in the game. Presumably happy with the incident, Suryakumar, after the game, said, "“It’s my wife’s birthday, a perfect gift from him (Boult).”
Meanwhile, commenting on his batting, he said, "I’ve been doing nothing different, I try to bat the same way in the nets and replicate the same in the game. I put a lot of pressure on myself in the nets, if I get out I go into the dressing room and think what better I could have done. The ball was coming on nicely to the bat, came on a bit slow later, but happy to be on the winning side.”
6:00 PM: Virat Kohli's role won’t change – Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma explained Virat Kohli's role in the pre-match press conference after the latter gave up captaincy in T20 cricket.
"Virat Kohli's role won't change. He will keep on doing what he has been doing for the team for so many years. He is a very important player for the team. Whenever he plays, he creates an impact. He always leaves his mark on the match," Rohit said.
2:45 PM: Press conference at 4 PM
Indian cricket team's new coach Rahul Dravid and new T20I captain Rohit Sharma will reportedly hold a press conference at 4 PM today.
12:05 PM: Men in blue ready for NZ challenge starting in Jaipur on 17th November
11:00 AM: KL Rahul hopeful pollution levels will not be "that bad" in Jaipur
Before the T20I against New Zealand tomorrow, vice captain KL Rahul opened up on rising pollution. In a virtual press conference, he reassured that the levels might not be a hindrance to the squad. Having played in the Pink City before, the team hasn't stepped out anywhere else. Rahul joked that he hasn't carried a meter in his hand to check the pollution but it won't be that bad.
03:00 PM: Star Sports will broadcast India vs New Zealand home series
For fans wondering where to watch the match on television, the match will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network.
Have you seen their new advertisement which urges fans to back the Team after the T20 World Cup disappointment?
Check it out here:
November 15, 12:00 PM: The series chatter and the focus will be on Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma, says Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan believes that the focus of the home series against New Zealand will be Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma.
"India will be absolutely hurt about not making it to the semis. It will be the talk of the series. In many ways, this is turning a new page in Indian cricket. The series chatter and the focus will be on Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma. Also, where Indian cricket is going in terms of strategy and tactics,” the former India pacer said on Cricbuz.
05:00 PM: Test specialists set for a week-long camp in Mumbai
A report carried by Inside Sport suggests that the Test specialists of the Indian team have been called for a week-long camp in Mumbai.
“Yes, Rahul (Dravid) felt there was a need to have a camp as they haven’t played any red-ball cricket since the England series. It will help them get into a rhythm before the series. The players will then travel to Kanpur for the 1st Test. Rahul and others will join them there,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.
03:25 PM: More details on the tickets for the third IND vs NZ T20I at Kolkata here
12:15 PM: Special debuts at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on November 17
This is set to be the first T20I at this venue, in addition to it being Rahul Dravid's first game as head coach and Rohit Sharma's first fixture as full-time T20I captain.
10: 40 AM: Daryl Mitchell replaces Devon Conway in NZ squad for Test series
All-rounder Daryl Mitchell has replaced injured Devon Conway in the NZ squad for the Test series against India. Notably, Conway was ruled out of the tour and T20 WC Final with a fractured hand after he hit his bat after his dismissal in the semifinal against England. The first Test series starts in Kanpur on November 25 while the second Test starts in Mumbai from December 3.
Read the full story here.
07:05 PM IST: Rahul Dravid individually called each player before team selection
It is being learned that Rahul Dravid has already started working in his own way after taking charge as head coach. He reportedly called each player individually, asked them about their mental and physical health, advised them to rest if required and assured them of their places in the team, even if a youngster performs well. Whatever be his methods Indian fans would hope that it works wonders for the team and they improve as a unit and click in the big matches.
06:35 PM IST: Newly appointed T20I captain Rohit Sharma spotted in Jaipur
He is here. The Hitman is in the Pink City and is set to start a new chapter in Indian cricket as the leader of the T20I side.
06:15 PM PM IST: Online ticket booking has started for Jaipur T20I
For fans wondering where to buy tickets for the match, online ticket booking has already commenced. Find the step-by-step guide to book tickets for the first T20I here.
12: 30 PM IST: Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach), Vikram Rathour (batting coach) and T Dilip (fielding coach) have also joined as Rahul Dravid's support staff in Jaipur. Even though BCCI is yet to make any formal announcement.
11:45 AM IST: Rahul Dravid spotted in Jaipur
10:30 AM IST: Rahul Dravid arrives in Jaipur
Team India's new head coach Rahul Dravid arrived at Jaipur Airport on Friday and left for the hotel to begin his mandatory quarantine.
India's squad for T20I series
Rohit Sharma (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Avesh Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Mohd. Siraj
India's squad for Test series
Ajinkya Rahane (Captain), KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara (vice-captain), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), KS Bharat (wicket-keeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Axar Patel, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Md. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Virat Kohli (to return for 2nd Test as captain)