Virat Kohli is back in the top ten for T20I batters in the ICC rankings after guiding India to a thrilling win in the Super 12 matchagainst Pakistan T20 World Cup. Kohli’s unbeaten 53-ball 82 at the MCG has taken him five places up to No. 9. He stemmed the wicket flow with a 113-run stand with Hardik Pandya before helping take 48 off the last three overs to seal…

Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Caleb Jewell, 2.5 ov), 2-32 (Ben McDermott, 9.1 ov), 3-50 (Jordan Silk, 13.6 ov), 4-91 (Tim Ward, 24.3 ov), 5-131 (Beau Webster, 33.3 ov), 6-140 (Tom Andrews, 34.6 ov), 7-212 (Tom Rogers, 43.3 ov), 8-227 (Jake Doran, 46.3 ov), 9-240 (Nathan Ellis, 48.3 ov) Source: ESPN Crickinfo

Big Picture Friday will be the first instance of India and Netherlands contesting in a T20 international. While India will enter as clear favourites, they will also be the first to point out the danger Scott Edwards‘ team poses. The Dutch are the only Associates in the Super 12s. They have worked hard to earn their place and now their players want to enjoy playing alongside the big boys, a…

Match abandoned without a ball bowled Heavy evening showers in Melbourne forced the tournament’s second washout, with New Zealand and Afghanistan splitting points on Wednesday. The match that was delayed to begin due to a spillover of the England-Ireland game earlier in the day – also due to multiple rain breaks – didn’t seem like taking off at any point. The covers came off multiple times only for the rain…

Having progressed from the first round, Zimbabwe’s Super 12s opener against South Africa ended in farcical scenes as rain ensured the nine-overs-a-side fixture could not be completed. Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton was critical of the officials’ decision to keep playing amid wet and slippery conditions as much debate ensued post game. Related Preview: Pakistan aim to bounce back from MCG heartbreak Wounded Pakistan still ‘feeling the pain’, but morale remains…

After such a harrowing defeat, amid such a surreal spectacle at a heaving MCG magnified by the entire cricket world watching, Pakistan captain Babar Azam had the difficult task of addressing his crestfallen players in the dressing room. Some players were slumped, others had their hands on their heads, trying to rationalise the absurdity of what had just transpired. In a 90-second rallying cry, which has since gone viral on…

On Tuesday, Netherlands opener Max O’Dowd tweeted a picture of his diary for October 27. Below three technical notes – head to the ball, play straight, and play late – was written: “18:00 – T20 vs India @ SCG.” The tweet was captioned: What dreams are made of. Tomorrow in Sydney, Netherlands will face India for just the third time in international cricket. The previous meetings were at the 2003…

Big picture In other times, that kind of loss might have felled other Pakistan sides, but there’s something more settled about this one. They may rue not picking a fourth pacer at the MCG, but Mohammad Nawaz was not far from winning it: a little luck with the deflection off the stumps on the free-hit, a little fortune with that no-ball call, and they’re sitting pretty now. In the dressing…

Resting and preserving players is not on India’s mind as they prepare to face Netherlands in their second Super 12s match at the SCG. For a side that lost Jasprit Bumrah on the eve of the tournament and whose allrounder has to be handled with care, this faith in everybody’s fitness is welcome news. India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey also suggested R Ashwin will be India’s main spinner more often…

Aaron Finch has conceded there was “no excuse” for his painfully slow innings against Sri Lanka in Perth which heaped the pressure on Australia’s run chase until they were rescued by Marcus Stoinis. Finch could barely contain his frustration as he crawled to 31 not out off 42 balls in Australia’s seven-wicket win on Tuesday night. The match will be remembered for the Stoinis fireworks display at the death, with…