Suryakumar Confirms Ishan Kishan at No.3, Plays Down His Own Lack of Runs

India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav has put an end to speculation around the batting order by confirming that Ishan Kishan will continue to bat at No.3. While calmly brushing aside concerns about his own recent lack of big scores.

Speaking ahead of the upcoming international fixture, Suryakumar emphasized the importance of role clarity within the batting unit. He stated that Ishan Kishan’s aggressive intent and ability to dominate the middle overs make him a natural fit at No.3. Especially in high-pressure T20 situations. According to the skipper. Ishan’s approach allows the team to maintain momentum after the powerplay and put bowlers under constant pressure.

On his own form, Suryakumar played down the narrative around runs, stressing that leadership and impact go beyond personal statistics. He highlighted that modern T20 cricket is about intent, adaptability, and setting the tone for the rest of the lineup. “If the team is winning and players are executing their roles, individual numbers don’t matter much,” he remarked.

Suryakumar Yadav

The Indian captain also backed the team’s overall balance. Pointing out that consistency in the batting order helps players settle into defined roles. With young talents and experienced campaigners working in tandem. India aims to build a stable yet aggressive top order heading into a packed international calendar.

For Ishan Kishan, the backing from the captain could be a confidence booster as he looks to cement his place in the middle order. His ability to attack spin, rotate strike, and accelerate when needed adds flexibility to India’s batting strategy.

As India prepares for crucial matches ahead, Suryakumar’s calm approach reflects a leadership style focused on trust, clarity, and team success. With roles clearly defined and pressure kept at bay. The Indian setup appears keen on fostering a fearless brand of cricket—one where confidence is built through responsibility rather than numbers alone.

Due to illness, Axar Patel is ruled out of the remaining SA T20Is.

The BCCI announced on Monday (December 15) that India all-rounder Axar Patel will not play in the final two Twenty20 Internationals against South Africa. Due to illness, Axar  Patel was unable to play in the third Twenty20 International in Dharamsala. The BCCI also disclosed that Axar, along with the rest of the team, will undergo additional evaluation in Lucknow.

Shahbaz Ahmed has been chosen by the selection committee as a like-for-like replacement. The 31-year-old has already participated in five international games for India, most recently in October 2023 during the Asian Games.

Jasprit Bumrah, India’s pace leader, was also missing for the third match. It’s still not known. If the fast bowler would be available for the remaining two games because he had to return home for personal reasons.

India easily won the third Twenty20 International to grab a 2-1 series lead despite their absences. The series finale will take place in Ahmedabad on December 19. With the following match taking place in Lucknow on December 17.

Abhishek Sharma replaces Head to take the No. 1 spot as a T20I batsman.

Abhishek Sharma of India overtook Travis Head, his opening partner for Sunrisers Hyderabad, to take the top spot in the T20I batting rankings.

Travis Head had maintained his top spot since defeating Suryakumar Yadav in June of last year, but after missing Australia’s five-match series in the West Indies and playing his last T20I in September 2024, he dropped a spot as Abhishek Sharma became the third Indian to top the T20I batting charts, behind Virat Kohli and Suryakumar.

Abhishek last played for India during the five-match Twenty20 International series against England in February. In the series’ last game, he scored 135 runs off of 54 balls.

Josh Inglis rose six spots to ninth in the rankings after scoring 172 runs in the five games against the West Indies, finishing as the series’ third-highest run scorer. Despite ranking second on the series’ run rankings after a century, Shai Hope remained in tenth place.

Cameron Green was the series’ greatest mover, leaping 64 spots to No. 24, while Tim David went up 12 spaces to 18th after scoring Australia’s quickest T20I century and Brandon King gained nine slots.

Nathan Ellis, a fast bowler, moved up nine ranks to go joint-eighth among the bowlers.

India’s Ravindra Jadeja, who has been playing well in the current series between the two countries, is still at the top of the Test all-rounders’ ratings, while England skipper Ben Stokes moved up three spots to No. 3 after his century and five-wicket haul at Old Trafford.

After recording his first Test century in Manchester, Washington Sundar rose eight spots to share thirteenth place with a career-high 193 ranking points.

The ‘historic’ first bilateral T20I series between Nepal and the West Indies is scheduled for September.

Three T20I will make up the first bilateral series between Nepal and the West Indies. Which will begin in Sharjah in September. The series will be officially hosted by Nepal. Although the fact that the games will take place at a neutral location.

The “historic” series was described as a “significant milestone in the ongoing mission to grow and globalize the game of cricket” in a statement released by Cricket West Indies (CWI). The games are scheduled for September 27, 28, and 30 in anticipation of Nepal’s participation in the men’s T20 World Cup Asia qualification later in the year.

In a statement, CWI chief executive Chris Dehring stated, “This series is more than just a collection of international matches. It’s a celebration of the game’s growing global footprint and a testament to what cricket represents: pride, purpose, and the power of unity.” We believe it is our duty as a full-member nation to support cricket’s growth outside of our boundaries.

Supporting Nepal during this important stage of their cricketing career serves to both promote the game at the local and global levels and serves as a reminder of the great pride and honor that come with representing our country and donning our national colors. At this juncture in Nepal’s history. We are honored to support them. We anticipate thrilling and competitive cricket in Sharjah.

A “competitive squad” was expected from the West Indies, the release continued.

The opening game of the three-match T20I series that the West Indies T20I team is currently playing in Ireland washed out. At the same time, Nepal is in Scotland for a T20I tri-series that also includes the Netherlands.

Nepal is now ranked 18th in the format. While West Indies the two-time World Cup champions are ranked fifth.