Andhra Pradesh and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy opened up on the emotional moment when he received his Indian jersey last month and how much it meant to him considering that his father risked his own career for sake of his son’s cricket. Nitish was called-up to the Indian squad after a solid Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season with SRH, for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. Though he could not play due to a sports hernia injury, he has created an impression strong enough to be considered for future series with a ‘Emerging Player of the Season’ award worthy performance in this year’s IPL, scoring 303 runs in 11 innings with two fifties at a strike rate of 143 and taking three wickets with his seam bowling.

The 21-year-old is now working his way back to full fitness as the new domestic season starts on September 5 with Duleep Trophy.

Reddy recalled that when he received his Indian kit, the people who often ridiculed and questioned his father for risking his career to help his son become a player, also got very emotional. In 2016, when Nitish was 13 years old, his father Mutyalu, working for Hindustan Zinc Limited in Visakhapatnam, was to be transferred to Jodhpur, but he decided to quit in order to focus on his son, who had been picked by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) for district trials. He instead started his own business, which did not do well and everyone started to taunt him, including his extended family.

“Fame is a funny thing. After the IPL, the same people who told my father how he was foolish to risk his career for me started praising him for his foresight. I remembered they got emotional when my India kit arrived,” said Nitish, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

“He quit and invested the corpus he received into a microfinance business in Vizag [Visakhapatnam]. But unfortunately, when the business did not do well, our own extended family, society – everyone else started taunting him for his decision. As much as he tried not to let that filter through to me, eventually he could not help it.”

“I saw how people’s attitudes towards him changed from when he had a job to after he quit. They would disrespect him, he would be ignored.”

“I could not take it. That spurred my motivation to give it my all, because my father had given up everything for me. Until then, I had played for fun, but from there on, everything changed,” Nitish concluded his point.

The 13-year-old left home to move 700 km to a residential academy of ACA, where he attended middle school and trained. He learned the basics of fast bowling there under local coaches. Nitish recalled that when he had joined the academy, his bowling was no good and he used to “throw”.

“Only after I began regular training, I understood biomechanics, how your action impacts different parts of your body, and I worked on correcting it,” he added.

Nitish started making waves Under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy when he scored a triple ton against Tamil Nadu and 190 against a strong bowling attack of Karnataka and a quadruple ton against Nagaland, finishing the 2017-18 edition of the tournament with 1,237 runs.

But these early successes turned out to be a false dawn as he admitted being “carried away” by his success and flopped in the U19 level.

“I thought I was naturally good. Everyone spoke highly about my technique, and I was flying. The following year, when I graduated to U-19s and flopped, I initially brushed it aside, thinking it was a bad patch. But when I had a second bad season, it gave me a reality check,” he added.

Frustrated by his poor performances, in 2019, Nitish decided to play solely as a batter, but Srinivas Reddy, one of his coaches, encouraged him to continue as a bowler, pointing out the rarity of pace bowling all-rounders in India.

After that, Nitish was picked up for an ACA camp to pick up a pool of players for the 2019-20 domestic season. The all-rounder said that he was initially picked up as an understudy in the larger squad but the skipper, Hanuma Vihari, was impressed and pushed for his inclusion in the Ranji squad. He went on to make his Ranji debut against Kerala in January 2020.

“I quickly understood that if in the age group I got two loose balls in an over, in first-class, I would get two in a session. I learned a lot quickly.”

Reddy was picked up SRH ahead of the 2023 IPL but got to play only two games in which he did not get to bat. In July last year, he was called up to India’s Emerging Players squad for the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka but did not get to bat there either.

Nitish said that ahead of IPL 2023, his bowling was better than his batting. He was asked to stay ready for game time by the team management, but he just could not fit into the squad, he added.

“At the Asia Cup too, when I was in the XI, our top order did so well that I could not get a chance in the first three games. In the fourth game, when I was left out, everyone batted. It was on live TV, and it stressed me out quite a lot that I missed a chance. I wondered if Sunrisers would even retain me,” he added.

Nitish faced another setback when he injured his ankle that year, ruling him out of an all-important Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy which could have decided his fortunes for next year’s IPL. The all-rounder recalled being so dejected that he did not even go to the ground even when he regained full fitness.

But one day, he called up ACA and arranged for himself a net practice session against fast bowlers to show everyone that he belonged to the top order while batting. By the time 2024 came and it was time for the IPL, Nitish had developed a solid game against pace, which impressed the SRH skipper and Australian superstar Pat Cummins.

“Then one day, I just called up ACA and requested them to help arrange a few side-armers who would hurl the ball [to me] at 140 clicks from 18 yards. I did not want anyone to tell me I am a lower-order batter. I wanted to show I have it in me to bat in the top order.”

“They bowled bouncers. I got hit everywhere initially, but I told myself: come what may, I am going to face up and fight, build character and develop that no-defeat attitude. I continued this routine whenever I was training back home. That is perhaps why, coming into IPL 2024, I felt so confident playing at a proper pace. In the nets when Pat Cummins saw me react to pace, he was very impressed,” he added.

Australia announced their T20I squad for their upcoming series against Scotland and England, with Perth Scorchers all-rounder Cooper Connolly earning his maiden T20I call-up. The post-David Warner era has begun for Australia, and a new opening pair will take the field for their white-ball series against Scotland and England. The Baggy Greens will play a three-match T20I series against Scotland in September. Australia will also play three T20Is and five ODIs against England later in the month.

The three T20Is against Scotland will be played on September 4, 6, and 7, and the England T20I series will begin on September 11.

In Warner’s place, Jake Fraser-McGurk has been included in the T20I squads for both series and in the ODI squad against England. Fraser-McGurk will look to establish himself as a long-term opening alternative for Australia.

Connolly has featured in 15 domestic T20s. He starred for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League 2022-23 final with his quick-fire 25* off 11 deliveries. In his Sheffield Shield debut, he scored 90 against Tasmania earlier this year.

Mitchell Marsh will lead the side in the absence of Pat Cummins, who has been rested. Cummins is currently involved in the ongoing Major League Cricket with the San Francisco Unicorns.

The experienced duo of Mitchell Starc and Glenn Maxwell will also miss the T20I series but will link up with the squad for the ODI series against England.

Matthew Short, who travelled with Australia’s T20 World Cup squad as a reserve player, will miss out on the T20I tour due to the birth of his first child.

“This tour gives us a great opportunity to bring in some new players in the absence of David Warner and Matthew Wade, as well as giving some senior players time to prepare for the home summer and a busy first half of next year. We are particularly pleased to offer Cooper his first opportunity in the T20 squad, having introduced the likes of Jake, Spencer, Xavier and Aaron in the past 12 months. They are exciting prospects to join the likes of Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis and Josh Inglis in the white-ball set-up,” national selector George Bailey said in a statement by Cricket Australia.

With the ICC Champions Trophy almost seven months away, Australia will try to find the right balance within the ODI team.

“With the Champions Trophy on our doorstep early next year, the white-ball series against Pakistan leading into the summer and a huge home Test series against India, there has been a lot of planning invested into these next six months. That has included gradual integration of new players into our white-ball squads who have earned international opportunities via excellent form in Big Bash or state cricket,” he added.

Australia T20I squad for Scotland and England: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Spencer Johnson, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

Australia ODI squad for England: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis (wk), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Short, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.

After SRH paid Rs 20.5 crore for Pat Cummins, KKR splashed Rs 24.75 crore on Mitchell Starc.© BCCI

File image of Brett Lee.© X (Twitter)

Pat Cummins in action for Australia in T20 World Cup 2024© AFP

India captain Rohit Sharma sent fans on social media into a frenzy many times en route to his 92 against Australia in the final Super 8 game of the 2024 T20 World Cup. Be it his onslaught on Mitchell Starc in an over that went for 29 runs, or his catch to dismiss an in-form Travis Head, Rohit had many memorable moments for the Indian fan to remember. But one shot in particular – a 100m six on the bowling of Australia’s Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins – might’ve been the sweetest.

Coming in to bowl the fifth over, Rohit welcomed Cummins with a tremendous shot. The Indian skipper got down on one knee and slogswept it over midwicket, and sent the ball back by 100 metres.

What made the six even more special was that it took Rohit’s tally of T20I sixes to 200; he became the first player to achieve this feat.

Rohit’s outstanding shot also sent the fans at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground into ecstasy, bringing out a roar that clocked 110 decibels.

Hold this class of “Rohit Gurunath Sharma”

[100m long six to the best bowler of this generation shows class of Hitman]

pic.twitter.com/DAzMpk5Du6

— Gillfied (@Gill_era7) June 24, 2024

Rohit Sharma’s 41-ball 92 helped India to a mammoth total of 205-5. Australia fell short in the end by 24 runs, despite Travis Head making 76 off 43 balls.

The win for India sends them through to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, where they’ll face England, in a rematch of the 2022 T20 World Cup semis. On that occasion, England had thumped India by 10 wickets.

For Australia, their fate is not in their control, as an Afghanistan win against Bangladesh would eliminate the 2023 World Cup champions, and send Afghanistan into the semis.

After a dominant group stage, Australia lost to both Afghanistan and India, putting their semi-final hopes in jeopardy.

India take on England in the second semi-final on June 27, at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

India vs Australia Live: Squads –

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj.

Australia: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (captain), Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis.

Australia Test stalwart Usman Khawaja expressed his sadness at Afghanistan not being able to play in Australia, as he congratulated Afghanistan’s historic 2024 T20 World Cup win over his own country. Earlier in the year, Cricket Australia had cancelled a bilateral series against Afghanistan over the country’s “marked deterioration” in the treatment of women and children, following the rise of the Taliban regime. While the Afghanistan cricketers remain puzzled over the decision, Khawaja stated that the Afghanistan side was an inspiration.

Replying to a tweet by Rashid Khan celebrating Afghanistan’s 21-run win over Australia, Khawaja said:

“Well done Brother. Better team on the day. You boys are an inspiration for so many back home and abroad. So sad we can’t see you all play in Australia.”

In 2023 and 2024, Cricket Australia had cancelled a planned bilateral series against Afghanistan. The decisions came following restrictions imposed by the ruling Taliban, which did not allow women and girls to access higher education and public property like parks and gyms.

Needing a win to stay alive in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Afghanistan posted a total of 148 in 20 overs. However, the Aussie opening pair of Travis Head and David Warner failed to fire.

It looked that much like the 2023 World Cup clash between the two nations, Glenn Maxwell would take the game away from Afghanistan. However, he was dismissed in the 15th over, with Australia lying at 106-6. 

Gulbadin Naib was the unlikely hero with the ball, picking up four wickets: Maxwell, the in-form Marcus Stoinis, Tim David and Pat Cummins.

Afghanistan bundled out Australia for 127, registering their first win over the Aussies in T20 World Cup history.

If Afghanistan beat Bangladesh in their final Super 8 clash, and Australia lose to India, then Afghanistan will take a spot in the 2024 T20 World Cup semis.

Super Eight – Match 11 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024 will be played between Australia and India (AUS vs IND) at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia on Monday. In the last match played by Australia, they lost to Afghanistan by 21 runs. The top fantasy player for Australia was Glenn Maxwell who scored 95 fantasy points. In India’s last match in this tournament, they beat Bangladesh by 50 runs. The top fantasy player for India was Kuldeep Yadav who scored 105 fantasy points.

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

The pitch at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia is balanced. The average 1st innings score at this venue in the last 20 matches is 115 runs. The team batting first at this venue has won 40% of its matches, so the toss does not make much of a difference here. The team winning the toss may decide to bat or bowl depending on the ground conditions today.

Weather Report

Temperature is expected to be around 29.08 degree C and humidity is expected to be around 77%. 8.52 m/s winds are expected. Cloud cover is also expected, so expect some movement to aid the pace bowlers. There is light rain expected which may affect playing conditions.

Pace or Spin?

The pacers have taken 75% of the total wickets at this venue. Hence picking up pacers for your fantasy team should be a good idea. Based on the stats available, We predict that the pitch will continue to assist the pacers.

Head to Head

In the 31 matches played between these two teams, Australia bowlers have earned the most fantasy points for their team, while batters have earned the most fantasy points for India.

AUS vs IND Fantasy Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks

Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis is a fairly consistent player in terms of fantasy points. He has an average of 58 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 8.8. Stoinis has smashed 167 runs in the recent six matches while the all-rounder has also taken eight wickets with the ball.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is a good-to-have player for your Fantasy Team. He has an average of 43 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 8.5. The right-handed batter has scored 66 runs in the recent five matches.

Axar Patel

Axar Patel is an all-rounder with an average of 55 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 8.5 and can be a good safe pick for your Fantasy Team. The spin-bowling all-rounder has scored 35 runs in three innings while he has also taken four wickets with the ball.

Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya can be a good safe pick for your Fantasy Team. He has an average of 66 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 8.3. The star all-rounder has scored 89 runs in three innings at an impressive strike rate of 141.26 while also picking eight wickets with the ball.

Travis Head

Travis Head is a top-order batter with an average of 32 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 8.2 and can be a good pick for your Fantasy Team. The explosive left-handed batter has smashed 179 runs in the recent six matches at an impressive strike rate of 151.69.

AUS vs IND Possible Playing XI

Australia (AUS) Possible Playing XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Tim David, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh

India (IND) Possible Playing XI: Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube

AUS vs IND Fantasy Team Today

Wicket-Keepers: Rishabh Pant and Matthew Wade

Batters: Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh

All-Rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav and Pat Cummins

Captain: Jasprit Bumrah

Vice-Captain: Travis Head

Australia will lock horns with India in the Super Eights Match 11 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024. The game is set to take place at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia on Monday. Former champions, India comes into this match with momentum, having defeated Bangladesh by 50 runs in their previous outing. Kuldeep Yadav was the standout performer for India, amassing 105 fantasy points. On the other hand, Australia faced a 21-run defeat at the hands of Afghanistan in their last game. Glenn Maxwell was the top fantasy performer for the Aussies, scoring 95 points.

Head-to-Head

Historically, India have dominated the head-to-head battle with Australia in the T20 format. The Men in Blue have won 19 matches while losing 11 games to Australia. The pattern suggests India will likely continue their dominance. The Indian batters have generally outperformed the Aussie bowlers, while the Australian batters have been their main contributors.

The last meeting between these teams was in the fifth T20I of Australia’s tour of India, in 2023, where Shreyas Iyer and Ben McDermott scored the highest fantasy points for their respective countries.

Key Players to Watch

Pat Cummins (AUS)

Star Australian pacer, Pat Cummins, has been in a stellar form with the ball in the tournament. The right-arm pacer has picked up nine wickets in four matches at an economy rate of 6.40, which also includes consecutive hat-tricks against Bangladesh and Afghanistan, respectively.

Virat Kohli (IND)

Former Indian skipper, Virat Kohli, has had a topsy-turvy campaign with the bat in this tournament. The right-handed batter has scored 66 runs in the recent five matches.

Marcus Stoinis (AUS)

Australia’s star all-rounder, Marcus Stoinis, has been enjoying decent form in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The right-handed batter has smashed 167 runs in the recent six matches while the all-rounder has also taken eight wickets with the ball.

Axar Patel (IND)

Bowling all-rounder, Axar Patel, has been a consistent contributor for the Men in Blue. Axar has scored 35 runs in three innings while he has also taken four wickets with the ball.

Travis Head (AUS)

Australia’s top-order batter, Travis Head, has been in red-hot form with the bat in this tournament. The explosive left-handed batter has smashed 179 runs in the recent six matches at an impressive strike rate of 151.69.

Hardik Pandya (IND)

Star Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, has been having a dream run in the ongoing T20 World Cup for India. Hardik has scored 89 runs in three innings at an impressive strike rate of 141.26 while also picking eight wickets with the ball.