Sanju Samson to finally get a chance? Will Shivam Dube be dropped? India's likely XI vs Bangladesh
New Delhi: Team India aims to secure their second win in the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage as they face Bangladesh in a crucial match at Kensington Oval. The two teams previously met in a warm-up match, but Saturday's encounter holds greater significance.
India enters the match undefeated, while Bangladesh has struggled with form. Historically, India has dominated this rivalry, yet Bangladesh's resilience makes them a formidable opponent. India showcased a strong performance against Afghanistan in their Super Eights opener and hopes to maintain momentum.
Openers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have shown promising starts but have yet to deliver impactful innings. Meanwhile, Shivam Dube, known for his power-hitting, has struggled to match his IPL form. Although he scored an unbeaten 31 against the USA, it was Suryakumar Yadav who shined in that game. Dube's underperformance might open the door for Sanju Samson in the middle order.
Hardik Pandya's explosive cameo against Afghanistan was a major positive for India. His form is crucial for India's success. On the bowling front, India is expected to retain their current combination, with left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav playing a key role. The Caribbean wickets have favored spinners, and India has effectively utilized three spinners in their lineup.
For Bangladesh, this clash is a must-win following their loss to Australia. Their batting woes persist, with a lack of power-hitters and underperformance from openers Litton Das and Tanzid Khan. Captain Najmul Shanto emphasized the importance of top-order contributions for a better performance against India.
India's likely XI
- Openers: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli
- Middle-order: Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja
- Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh
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UAE announces complete withdrawal of forces from Yemen amid rift with Saudi Arabia
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday declared that it would withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen, bringing an end to what it described as its “counterterrorism” mission, amid escalating tensions with Saudi Arabia over developments in the country’s south.
The announcement followed a demand by Yemen’s internationally recognised government, led by the Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council, that Emirati forces leave Yemeni territory within 24 hours. Riyadh publicly supported the call, deepening a rare public rift within the Saudi Arabia-led coalition that has been fighting Houthi rebels since 2015.
In a statement, the UAE Ministry of Defence said it had conducted a “comprehensive assessment” of its role in Yemen and decided to terminate the mission due to recent developments and their implications for the safety and effectiveness of its personnel. It said the withdrawal would be carried out in a manner ensuring the security of its forces.
Al Jazeera reported that the decision came hours after Saudi-led coalition aircraft struck the southern port city of Mukalla, targeting what Riyadh claimed was a weapons shipment linked to the UAE and intended for the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC). Saudi Arabia said it viewed recent STC advances in the Hadramout and Mahara provinces as a threat to its national security, accusing Abu Dhabi of exerting pressure on the group to carry out military operations.
The STC, which had earlier fought alongside the internationally recognised government against the Houthis, launched a major offensive this month, seizing control of large areas of southern Yemen, including provinces bordering Saudi Arabia. The advances ended years of relative stalemate and triggered sharp warnings from Riyadh.
Saudi Arabia said any threat to its security was a “red line” and that it would take all necessary measures to counter such risks. Its concerns were echoed by Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, who accused the UAE of directing and supporting the STC’s actions. Following the Mukalla strike, al-Alimi announced the dissolution of a defence pact with the UAE and ordered Emirati forces to leave within a day.
The UAE rejected the accusation, saying it was surprised by the Saudi air strike and maintaining that the shipment targeted in Mukalla did not contain weapons and was meant for Emirati forces, not the STC. It reiterated its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and said it was seeking a solution to prevent further escalation.
The Mukalla strike, which caused damage but no casualties, exposed widening fractures within the coalition formed nearly a decade ago to counter the Houthis. Emirati troops first deployed in Yemen in 2015, but the UAE had already drawn down most of its forces in 2019, retaining only a limited presence in government-held areas.
Saying both Saudi Arabia and the UAE reflected a commitment to regional stability and the principles of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Qatar welcomed their statements. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan also held calls with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar to discuss regional developments.
The STC spokesperson, Anwar al-Tamimi, said there was “no thinking about withdrawal” from areas it had seized, warning that any move against its forces would be met with a response. Meanwhile, Yemeni authorities imposed temporary air, sea and ground restrictions following the escalation, as uncertainty continued to surround the future balance of power in southern Yemen.
