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The first T20 match of the three-match series between the West Indies and India is scheduled to start on the 16th, The second match will be played on February 18 and the third on February 20 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata

West Indies were blanked 0-3 in the ODI series and Pollard hoped his team would make amends in the T20I series. Pollard laid out another challenge for his team.

“Guys who have not been here before would have got some experience of the conditions coming up against a well drilled Indian team. For us it’s about improving all the time. We can definitely improve on that,” he said.

Pollard said they would take confidence from their thrilling 3-2 win over England at home in their last T20I series.

“On the batting front, over a period of time, we haven’t been consistent at all. We want to be able to put that right in the shorter format. It’s about us executing with the best of our abilities. 

For us it’s about consistency. We had a very good series against England. We faltered a couple of times in the back end of the innings. But we showed that there’s something inside these guys and there’s a belief to do well,” he said.

“We are very confident. We have been able to come out on top against England, it will give us that extra confidence against India.

“The guys would be looking forward to score runs on these sort of surfaces where it’s conducive for strokemaking. We are looking forward to it and the guys are quietly confident.”

Pollard had missed the last two ODIs with a troubled knee but the skipper said he’s raring to go for the T20I series.

“Things have improved for me. It was one of the knees . and the rigours of the 50-over game was very very difficult. As we stand right now all of us are available for selection,” he said.

Giving his take on the wicket, Pollard said: “It looks a very good cricketing wicket. Obviously, there’s something in it for the bowlers. There’s still some chill in the air and with dew around the ball it should be able to slide onto the bat.”

He, however, did not seem too concerned about the dew.

“The dew will be for both the teams so we will see what happens and who can tackle the dew well.”

Pollard stressed that despite the setback in the ODI series, his team is still capable of challenging the Indian side.

he pointed out. “You can’t live four days back, you have to look into the present. We have to focus on what we need to do. So for that, we have to come out with some plans and hopefully, we could execute those plans. Hopefully, we can put them on the backfoot when they are batting or put them under some pressure when they are bowling.”

 

Rajasthan Royals CEO Jake Lush McCrum reveals why they picked Shimron Hetmyer and his fitness Issue.

On the first day of the Indian Premier League 2022 mega auction, the Rajasthan Royals CEO made a statement that supporters of the franchise would’ve been elated to hear.

It was a bold statement coming from a team that finished seventh, eighth and seventh respectively over the last three seasons.

“We’re building a team to win the championship, it’s as simple as that,” said RR CEO Jack Lush McCrum.

“And we think we bought players who can help us do that. We got a lot of feedback from the fans, we’ve learned a lot over the last few years. Hopefully the fans can see by the players we’re targeting, the squad we’re trying to build. And again, we want to win this season.”

Rajasthan’s most expensive recruit at the auction was India fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, followed by West Indies batter Shimron Hetmyer, New Zealand pacer Trent Boult, and Indian batter Devdutt Padikkal.

You add the next two names on this list Yuzvendra Chahal and Ashwin Ravichandran and there’s no denying the RR squad looks solid.

Presenting the @rajasthanroyals squad that will take the field in #TATAIPL 2022 👌👌 pic.twitter.com/eFooTkAbb0

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 14, 2022

Meanwhile, Shimron Hetmyer was bought by Rajasthan Royals for Rs. 8.5 Crores during IPL 2022 auction. Delhi Capitals tried to buy their player back in the team but Rajasthan Royals managed to seal the player in their squad. Earlier, Hetmyer announced a base price of Rs. 1.5 crore for himself. He was part of Delhi Capitals in the last season.

Shimron Hetmyer is a strong middle-order batsman in Indian Premier League. So far, the West Indies batsman has played 31 matches in the tournament and accounts for 517 runs. He was part of IPL in the last three seasons.

Rajasthan Royals CEO said they Want to assign West indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer as responsibility of the finisher Role.

“We were willing to go a little bit more for him. He bats in that five/six role, and he is capable of winning IPL matches. We are delighted to get him on board and we probably got the two bargains of the auction in Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravi Ashwin, so we are delighted; we built a really, really strong side,” the Royals CEO said.

“We did speak to a number of people over there ( Barbados Royals) working with Shimron. I think he was playing a game couple of days ago, so we got some more background around those fitness areas to get him in great shape.

We have the Barbados Royals over there, so we can get a net workout there, so we can work with that, so he can get the best possible shape for this season, and yes, we are looking forward to having him.”

0:35 – 🏆

Our CEO has spoken. 🔥#RoyalsFamily | #TATAIPLAuction | @JakeLushMcCrum pic.twitter.com/cu5FH6nlVS

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 13, 2022

 

 

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is expected to be held from late March to late May 2022 and the West Indies Cricket Association (CWI) has confirmed that all West Indies players will be eligible to participate in the Marquee T20 League.

During the two-day mega auction in Bangalore, 14 West Indies players were picked by the IPL franchise and three players, including Kieran Pollard, Sunil Narine and Andre Russell, were retained before the auction.

Meanwhile, After the end of the mega auction, Anil Kumble, spoke to Star Sports on the auction dynamic and what made them go behind certain players.

Odean Smith was one of the top buys for the franchise at 6 crores. The West Indian all-rounder is currently in India for a series against India.

“He has showcased his power, bowling skills and also his batting skills and we saw that on display against India here in the one-dayers, so we have been tracking the players for a while and we are very glad that someone like Odean as an all-rounder for us we have been able to secure” said Kumble.

Smith was quite impressive in the second ODI he played against India, as he picked up the big wicket of Virat Kohli by setting him up nicely and finished with figures of 2 for 29 in 7 overs.

And then Scored a 20-ball 24 with two sixes and flexed his big muscles in the process. He continued his good run in the third ODI as well where he scored an 18 ball 36, in which he hit three huge maximums and three fours as well.

He has been a wicket-taker with the ball with 36 wickets in 33 games in the format and was one of the shining stars in the Caribbean Premier League 2021 also we see his performance at T10, which got him noticed by the IPL franchises.

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) shared a video of Odean Smith speaking to the fans and saying,

“Hi Punjab Family, Odean Smith here. Really grateful for the opportunity you guys have given to me. Really hoping to join you guys soon. And hopefully, this year we will hold the trophy.” Odean says 

He also spoke on the varying auction dynamics and the problem of demand and supply in the IPL. Many franchises including Punjab could not get all the players that they were looking for in the mega auction.

“The auction dynamics are very very different and you have to be nimble and that is something we realised in the last one and half days. You have to be even more nimble during this auction then the previous ones.”

He also stressed on the leadership role and building a culture within the franchise looking forward to a brand new season.

“I think, in a T20, the format or any new squad you want to put together, you would want to get some quality players, and also the leadership group, so yes the focus was not just on the players that we want to acquire but also acquire some leadership groups and build a culture” Kumble concluded saying.

West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph reckons that a score of 240-250 would have been a more challenging total to defend for his side. Joseph dismissed Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the same over to push India slightly backwards in the first ODI in Ahmedabad on Last Sunday.

“I just think we needed to score a bit more. I think maybe 240-250 would have been a more challenging total on that wicket. So, it’s our first game out and we have two more games left in the series. We will go back to the drawing board and put our plans in,” said Joseph in the virtual press conference.

Talking about his own performance of 2/45, where he took out Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the same over, Joseph stated he needed to give in his best efforts to get the duo out in quick succession.

“It was pretty difficult. There was a pretty slow wicket and spin friendly. So, there wasn’t really much in there for me. But I just tried to put in my efforts and put the best foot forward for my team. We have specific plans for specific batters and were just bowling towards the plans.”

With one days left for the second ODI, Joseph is hopeful that his side will turn things around in the three-match ODI series.

“We have one days left to see back at our plans. We will go through our post-match meetings. I think we just need to assess a bit better and spend more time at the crease. As you see, Fabian, Jason gave us a really good partnership and partnerships will get us a good total,” added Joseph.

“It was pretty difficult. There was a pretty slow wicket and spin-friendly. So, there wasn’t really much in there for me. But I just tried to put in my efforts and put the best foot forward for my team. We have specific plans for specific batters and were just bowling towards the plans,” he further said.

Talking about his own goal, The 25-year-old signed off by saying that he’s always looking to improve as a cricketer whenever he steps on the field for the West Indies.

the West Indies fast bowler said, “For me, my goals are just improving as a cricketer every time I go out on the field. Year after year, month after month, week after week, I try to improve myself and be better than what I was yesterday.”

India won the first ODI of the three-match series against the West Indies by six wickets in Ahmedabad on Sunday (6).

After being invited to bat first, Windies line-up crumbled for a below-par 176 in 43.5 overs.

West Indies kept losing wickets in the middle overs and were reeling at 79/7 at one stage.

However, smart batting by Jason Holder and Fabien Allen helped Windies reach a respectable total.

Holder was dismissed on 57(71). Fabien Allen scored 29(43) and Nicholas Pooran dismissed on 18(25)

Meanwhile, At a chat with Star Sport at the start of the match, West Indies’ batter Nicholas Pooran insisted that the visitors are entering the ODI series against India on a high after defeating England 3-2 in the T20I series.

“We are looking forward to the series. We are on a high after beating England in the T20I series. I am looking forward to playing in India. A lot of us played here and are accustomed to it. But playing international cricket here in India is a different and difficult challenge,” said Pooran in a chat with broadcasters ahead of the start of the first ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad.

In 8 ODIs Pooran has played in India, Pooran has scored 307 runs at an average of 72.25 and strike rate of 129.59.

“I am definitely trying to stay in the present for a longer period of time. In ODI cricket, you have more time. Sometimes one makes silly mistakes under pressure but we need to play for longer periods of time and keep things simple,” side the left-hander.

Speaking further, Pooran, believes that he wants to inspire his team-mates as he gets extra leadership responsibilities.

“Life looks a little different as a 22-year-old. At 26, you start to understand life a bit more. I am starting to look at things differently with the added responsibility and I always believe that I am a leader and I want to inspire others. I want to be that person.”

Aakash Chopra has highlighted that the onus is on Kieron Pollard to take the West Indies team forward after their dismal performance at the T20 World Cup 2021.

The visiting Caribbean side will lock horns with Team India in three ODIs and as many T20Is, with the first match to be played on February 6.

While previewing the series on the Star Sports show Game Plan, Aakash Chopra pointed out that West Indies would have to show a different attitude from what they showed at the T20 World Cup. He elaborated:

“Kieron Pollard the captain, he has a slightly different responsibility here because the selection and approach, the team’s attitude at the T20 World Cup disappointed me a lot. The West Indies supporters might have also felt let down by this team because they did not play as per their potential.”

The former India cricketer added that Pollard will have to set an example for the rest of the squad. Chopra said:

“Here if you want to choose a new path, you [Pollard] are an experienced player and captain, then you will have to lead slightly from the front and will have to take everyone along.”

Pollard has an underwhelming overall record in ODI cricket. The big-hitting batter has scored 2706 runs at a below-par average of 26.27 in the 122 ODIs he has played for the West Indies.

Aakash Chopra highlighted that Kieron Pollard and Rohit Sharma face similar challenges over the next couple of years. He explained:

“I feel this is a litmus test for Kieron Pollard because when we talk about Rohit for 2022 and 2023, Pollard is the Rohit Sharma of this team. If he is the Rohit Sharma, then it is also his responsibility to take the team forward.”

The reputed commentator also picked a couple of West Indies players to watch out for during the ODI series against India. Chopra observed:

“One is Shai Hope, who in my opinion has a lot of ability. You will look towards him and Nicholas Pooran, who is slightly established, his last year was not that good but that doesn’t make him a bad player. He is an amazing player.”

 

Holder, who was named player of the series after West Indies’ win in Sunday’s decider against England with four wickets in four balls, spoke in the dressing room after the game and told his team mates that “nothing is impossible” ahead of their white-ball tour to India this month.

The three-match ODI series starts in Ahmedabad on February 6, with three T20Is to follow from February 16 in Kolkata.

“We aint 100%, but we’re building nicely, For me, this is the closest that I’ve felt a group be in a very, very long time. Honest to God, the energy I felt from the meetings. most contributions I’ve ever seen in a West Indies dressing room. Even though you might not understand a certain decision, everybody’s still buying in with it. 

“Tough luck to the guys who didn’t really get the opportunity but they never showed it: I ain’t seen a boy sulk. That says a lot about the camaraderie and the strength of the unit. I don’t think it’s a finished product and we’ve got to strive to be consistent. Holder said to his team-mates.

“We’ve got a couple of days before we start, start over, and then we go again in India. Nothing is impossible. We’ve got to believe that nothing is impossible and continue to be happy for one another’s success and continue to build as a team.” he added

Holder said on Monday morning that the squad’s response from their shock ODI series defeat against Ireland in which they lost 2 – 1.

“It’s been great after the start we had in Jamaica against Ireland where everybody was really, really down and deflated to see the way we’ve bounced back here against England,” he told CWI’s in house channels. “We really pulled together as a side. It’s a great feeling: hopefully we can continue this on and keep building something special.

“I think we came together, closer. After that series we were shell-shocked, very, very disappointed, and we felt as though we let not only ourselves down, but the entire region. We had extensive chats and everybody had to do some soul-searching. Feeling the way we did after that series made us really pull together and come out with a big performance here in this series.”

Holder endured some difficult moments in the series, not least during Saturday’s fourth T20I when Moeen Ali hit him for four consecutive sixes, but he started and ended in style, winning the player of the match award in the first and last T20Is and troubling England with the new ball throughout.

Holder’s 15 wickets was the most ever by a bowler in a bilateral T20I series, and he became only the fourth bowler to take four wickets in four balls in men’s T20Is. He added that he was “pleased with the consistency” he showed throughout the series and admitted that he had not realized that he had bowled Saqib Mahmood for his fourth consecutive wicket until seeing a replay on the big screen.

“I was just pleased with the consistency in terms of the wicket-taking column, “It’s something I pride myself on, particularly in this format. There were tough times in the series, which you would expect, and just the way I came through the tough periods was very, very pleasing. There’s still areas to improve on, coming back and finishing off spells well.” he said.

“It’s special for me, knowing how badly I felt after the Ireland series. Personally, I felt as though I let the team down with my personal performances. It wasn’t for lack of effort, it was just one of those times where it didn’t click and it didn’t happen. But everything happens in its time and this series was my time.

“I was just happy that [the final ball] didn’t go for six and I knew the game was definitely closed off there. I didn’t realize the ball hit the stump and it was only when Sheldon Cottrell came running towards us, and Nicholas, that we found out that the ball actually hit the stumps.

“Even when we were waiting for the decision on the big screen, I don’t think any of us were 100% sure, but then to see the ball clipping the stumps and the bail falling was exceptional.”