Cricket Zelo

New Zealand would want to start afresh ahead of the ODI series. The fact they played an ODI around 250 days ago and 13,000 km far from Dharamsala best describes their need to take a fresh start. Apart from these numbers, there is one name which they might miss in this series. Brendon McCullum was still leading the side the last time they played an ODI against Australia in Hamilton. This will be Kane Williamson's first ODI series for New Zealand as full-time captain.
But it is easier said than done. They are playing against India in India. A situation which recently handed them a 3-0 whitewash in the test series.
Playing without their key players such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Mohammad Shami etc., things are not that sorted for India as well. The home team is likely to play with a bunch of youngsters who will be guided by the likes of captain MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane.
Ajinkya Rahane is all set to open the batti…

Players and people will be hoping that the rain does not play a spoilsport in the 3rd ODI between Bangladesh and England in Chittagong. The reason is perhaps same for both the players and the people. The series is parked 1-1 at the moment with only one match to go. If the players want to win that match to grab the series, people want to watch that happen.
A win for Bangladesh will make them the first team to win seven bilateral series in a row at home. With all that has happened in the last match, the ultimate match of the series is worth watching. The hosts will be counting on their openers, big time! Whether they set a target or chase it, at least one out of Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes will have to play a big one in this crucial match. Not only them, the onus will also lie on Sabbir Rahman and Mahmudullah. The top order has the potential, conversion of it into performance is what they will be looking at. Out-of-form wicket-keeper, Mushfiqur Rahim will also be itching to get some runs …

Here is a list of Top 5 wicket-keepers to keep an eye on during the 83rd edition of the Ranji Trophy which begins a day after tomorrow. Only those wicket-keepers have been included who have not represented India in any format.



Srikar Bharat (Andhra Pradesh) - Having played in the Duleep Trophy this year, this 23-year old wicket-keeper batsman has amassed 1,983 first-class runs in 29 matches at an average of 43.10. Behind the stumps, he has 113 dismissals to his name.Ankush Bains (Himachal Pradesh) - This former India U-19 player has scored 1,147 runs in 22 first-class matches at an average of 40.96. He has four centuries and a sole half-century to his name. The conversion rate itself speaks everything about the 20-year old. Behind the stumps, he has 56 dismissals under his belt.Eklavya Dwivedi (Uttar Pradesh) - Also the vice-captain of Uttar Pradesh, Dwivedi has impressed one and all with his crucial performances over the years. In Suresh Raina's absence, he will also have to lead …

Here is a list of Top 10 bowlers to keep an eye on during the 83rd edition of Ranji Trophy which begins a day after tomorrow. Only those bowlers have been included who have not represented India in any format.




Shahbaz Nadeem (Jharkhand) - This 27-year old slow left-arm orthodox bowler finished as the highest wicket-taker in the last season of Ranji Trophy. In nine matches, he claimed 51 wickets at an average of 19.62 and a strike rate of 41.3 which was way better than his career average of 29.69 and strike rate of 66.6. Nadeem would be looking to top the bowling charts this year as well.Shardul Thakur (Mumbai) - This 24-year old right arm medium-pacer finished seventh on the list of highest wicket-taker in the last season of Ranji Trophy. His 41 wickets came in 11 matches at an average of 24.51 and a strike rate of 53.4. Having accompanied the Indian team to West Indies recently, he is definitely on the radar of selectors.Ishwar Pandey (Madhya Pradesh) - Another medium-pacer who has be…

Here is a list of Top 10 batsmen to keep an eye on during the 83rd edition of Ranji Trophy which begins a day after tomorrow. Only those batsmen have been included who have not represented India in any format.


Shreyas Iyer (Mumbai) - After being the highest run-scorer (1,321 runs in 11 matches) in the last season of Ranji Trophy, Iyer has somehow experienced a dip in form since then. The 21-year old right-hand batsman had a below par IPL and a mediocre tour of Australia with the India A team. Having scored 2,439 first-class runs in 27 matches, the Mumbaikar would want to get back on track as early as possible.Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai) - This 26-year old right-hand batsman has been in the limelight for some of the years now. From being appointed as the captain of Mumbai to resigning from the job, he has not let the off-field issues make an impact his on-field performance. The vice-captain of Kolkata Knight Riders has scored 3,340 runs in 48 matches at an average of 46.38. Another fruitf…