Cricket

The rivalry between India and Australia in cricket is one of the most intense in the sport, and it's set to reach new heights when the two teams face off in a five-Test series Down Under for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, beginning this November. The build-up to the much-awaited clash is fast gaining momentum, and it has been further fueled by former India opener Aakash Chopra, who has exposed how Indian team and players are targeted on Australian tours.Sharing a story from his commentary stint during India's 2018-19 tour, Chopra not only criticised the actions but also revealed how specific portions of play from live broadcast are clipped and shared with the Australian media to bring the Indian players into disrepute.India registered a historic first ever Test series win in Australia under Virat Kohli's captaincy, and the story Chopra shared on the '2 Sloggers' podcast is from the second Test of the series in Perth. Chopra claimed that the broadcasters amplified the stump microphone to highlight a heated on-field exchange between Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja in an attempt to tarnish the image of the visiting team.Chopra was in the commentary box when the said incident happened. "They (Australian media) used to release videos. They did it in front of me when Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja had a heated exchange with each other while standing in the 30-yard circle. The broadcasters amped up the stump mic as they were abusing each other," Chopra said on the podcast."They cut the clip and shared it with the press in front of me. After that, when we were talking off the field, I was like, 'What are we actually trying to achieve because it’s nothing',' the 47-year-old former opener added.Chopra went on to add that Ricky Ponting, who was present in the commentary box when this happened, first condemned what he saw but said something exactly the opposite as soon as the former Australia captain went on air. "Ricky said they are 'Making a mountain out of a molehill'. The moment he went on air, he tore into the Indian team, and I was stunned that he had just said something else a few minutes back," Chopra recalled.Chopra's revelations have sparked outrage among Indian fans and former players, who have accused the Australian media of bias and unfair treatment of the Indian team. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also taken note of the matter and is expected to raise it with the International Cricket Council (ICC).The upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy series is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory, and the off-field drama is only adding to the anticipation. It remains to be seen how the Indian team will respond to the allegations of unfair treatment, but one thing is for sure: the rivalry between India and Australia is set to reach new heights in the coming weeks.

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has shared an intriguing anecdote about the legendary wicketkeeper-batter MS Dhoni, shedding light on his enigmatic personality and unwavering dedication to the sport.Chopra, who shared a room with Dhoni during an India A tour in 2004, described him as a quiet and unassuming individual. Despite his growing reputation, Dhoni displayed a remarkable humility, never answering his phone and opting to eat vegetarian meals to accommodate his roommate's dietary preferences.However, when it came to cricket, Dhoni transformed into a different beast. Chopra witnessed firsthand Dhoni's exceptional batting skills, particularly his ability to execute unconventional shots with ease. During a match in Kenya, Dhoni stunned everyone by hitting a reverse sweep for four against a Pakistani bowler bowling at over 140 kmph.Despite not getting many opportunities to bat, Dhoni remained actively involved in the team by bowling to his competitor, Dinesh Karthik. Chopra questioned Dhoni's choice, but the latter simply replied that he enjoyed bowling.Chopra also praised Dhoni's exceptional wicketkeeping abilities, noting that his hands were still faster than anyone in the world. Despite not practicing keeping extensively, Dhoni's natural talent and dedication allowed him to excel in this aspect of the game.Dhoni's unwavering commitment to cricket and his ability to perform under pressure have made him one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. Under his leadership, India won the T20 World Cup in 2007, the ODI World Cup in 2011, and the Champions Trophy in 2013.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian men's cricket team head coach, has often been portrayed as an enigmatic figure. During his playing career, Gambhir's fiery demeanor and unwavering passion were evident on the field. He played a pivotal role in some of India's most memorable victories, particularly in ICC events.Gambhir's contributions to India's triumph in the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 ODI World Cup were instrumental. He emerged as one of India's most reliable match-winners, but his path to the top was not without challenges.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, who also opened the batting during his playing days, shed light on the intense competition within the Indian team at the time. To accommodate talented batters, drastic changes were made, even demoting Virender Sehwag to the No. 4 spot."We were competitors because we were fighting for one place. Our team was very good. When we were playing, only one of Kohli and Dhawan got the chance to play. The team was like that. In fact, there was no place for even Viru to open the batting. Viru batted four so that we can accommodate one of Shikhar and Virat at 3," Chopra recalled in a podcast with Raj Shamani on YouTube.Chopra acknowledged that he and Gambhir were not close friends due to the intense competition for opening spots. However, he recognized Gambhir's unwavering passion and dedication."We were competitors to begin with. He wasn't a friend, to be honest. (But he was a) very passionate guy, very hard working, and very serious about his craft. And he scored a lot of runs. But he always wore his heart on the sleeve, was extremely passionate, and could short-fuse very quickly in terms of temperament," Chopra further revealed.Despite his fiery nature, Chopra emphasized Gambhir's kind-heartedness and humble upbringing. "He's a good hearted guy, comes from a very affluent family. For that kid to have that kind of passion... he would be at the ground the whole day. He was born with a golden spoon, not even silver. It's a different journey, basically like Abhinav Bindra. Gautam has the heart at the right place," Chopra asserted.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaches, the future of Mumbai Indians (MI) stalwart Rohit Sharma remains uncertain. After being removed as captain ahead of the previous season, reports suggest a strained relationship between Rohit and the franchise, leading to speculation about his departure.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra believes Rohit may be traded to a new team during the trade window. "I feel he will not stay. Whoever is retained will be with the thinking that he will remain with you for three years, unless your name is MS Dhoni," Chopra said. "Rohit Sharma at MI, I feel he might himself leave or MI might leave him."Chopra also discussed the future of Suryakumar Yadav, who has also been linked with a move away from MI. However, Chopra believes Surya is unlikely to leave the franchise at this stage of his career. "I don't think Suryakumar Yadav will be traded. The Mumbai Indians won't leave Suryakumar Yadav and I feel Surya also won't leave either," he said.Rohit Sharma's departure would mark a significant change for MI, who have been led by the Indian opener since 2013. Under his captaincy, MI won five IPL titles, making them the most successful franchise in the tournament's history.If Rohit does leave, MI will need to find a new captain and a replacement for his opening batting position. Potential candidates for the captaincy include Hardik Pandya, who led the team in 2022, and Ishan Kishan, who has impressed as an opener for India.The IPL 2025 mega auction is expected to be held in December 2024. All teams will have the opportunity to retain a maximum of four players, with the remaining players entering the auction pool.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the squads for the first round of the Duleep Trophy 2024-25, scheduled to commence on September 5. Notably, India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will make his return to red-ball cricket in the tournament.Pant has been included in 'Team B' but surprisingly, he has not been appointed as the captain. Instead, Abhimanyu Easwaran has been entrusted with the leadership role. This decision has raised questions from former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, who believes Pant should be considered for the Test captaincy."Rishabh Pant is not a captain. He has been selected in Abhimanyu Easwaran's team. He is playing under Abhimanyu Easwaran's captaincy, which is absolutely okay. However, is Rishabh Pant not even a candidate for Test captaincy? I am a little surprised," Chopra said in a video on his YouTube channel.Chopra emphasized Pant's exceptional performance in Test cricket, highlighting his centuries in South Africa, England, and Australia. He believes Pant's consistency and aggressive style of play make him a suitable candidate for the captaincy."I am not aligned with this personally because the best avatar of Rishabh Pant you have seen is as a Test cricketer. He is the only wicketkeeper in the history of Indian cricket who has scored centuries in South Africa, England, and Australia in Test matches. The way he plays in Test cricket and the consistency with which he scores, he was the captaincy candidate in my opinion," Chopra added.Chopra also expressed curiosity about India's head coach Gautam Gambhir's views on Pant's captaincy potential. "However, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, and even Abhimanyu Easwaran are captains, but Pant is not a captain, and that is a huge takeaway in my opinion," he said."A new era has started. So I will be very curious to know what Gautam's opinion is with regards to Rishabh Pant the captain," added the ex-India batter.

Ruturaj Gaikwad's Exclusion Raises Questions as India Announces Squads for Sri Lanka SeriesFormer Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed astonishment over the omission of Ruturaj Gaikwad from India's squads for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Gaikwad, who has been in impressive form in recent months, was not selected for either the T20I or ODI teams.Chopra questioned the selectors' decision, highlighting Gaikwad's recent performances and leadership qualities. "Ruturaj Gaikwad has been left out in both formats. What did he do that his name hasn't come?" Chopra said. "Six months ago, you were worthy of becoming the captain of a team, a team that had Shubman Gill who wasn't playing, but Shubman has become the vice-captain now and Ruturaj is not even part of the team, neither in T20Is nor in ODIs. Is that right?"Chopra also raised concerns about the absence of Yuzvendra Chahal and Ravindra Jadeja from the entire tour lineup. "Yuzi Chahal also comes to mind. You were just now part of the World Cup. After that, you are nowhere," Chopra said. "Ravindra Jadeja is also not part of ODI cricket. What's happening there? He has himself retired from T20Is but would have been available in ODIs. If he is available and is not being played despite that, have Team India started looking in some other direction?"The selectors' decisions have sparked speculation about their vision for the future of the Indian team. Chopra urged the selectors to communicate their plans clearly to players like Gaikwad, who may feel aggrieved by their exclusion. "I really hope that it's being communicated that he is being looked at for T20Is and will be considered for ODIs because, otherwise, Ruturaj Gaikwad, like Sanju Samson, will be very aggrieved. He might be feeling that he has been wronged," Chopra said.The upcoming series against Sri Lanka will provide an opportunity for India to test their squad and prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. The selectors' decisions will be closely scrutinized as they attempt to strike a balance between experience and youth.

Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra has highlighted the crucial task facing newly appointed Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir: ensuring a seamless transition after the 2025 Champions Trophy. With Indian captain Rohit Sharma and batting stalwart Virat Kohli approaching the twilight of their careers, Chopra believes Gambhir must determine their future roles in the ODI setup leading up to the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup.Gambhir, who officially took over from Rahul Dravid after India's triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup, inherits a legacy of success left by his predecessor. Chopra emphasized the importance of maintaining and building upon this legacy, particularly in the 50-over format."ODI cricket will be a 50-50 situation," Chopra said. "What happens after the Champions Trophy? The next World Cup is in 2027, so the transition will start after the Champions Trophy itself. He will have to figure it out."Chopra acknowledged the delicate balance Gambhir must strike between phasing out the experienced players and nurturing the next generation. However, he noted that the retirements of Kohli, Rohit, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20I cricket have eased some of the pressure on Gambhir in the shortest format."India have reached the finals of the last three ICC events," Chopra said. "Dravid has left behind a fantastic legacy. Rohit Sharma also wrote a huge post about that legacy. Maintaining and taking the legacy forward will be a challenging task (for Gambhir)."Gambhir's first assignment as India coach will be a white-ball series against Sri Lanka in late July. The series will provide an early indication of his approach and the direction he intends to take the team.

Virat Kohli's Form: Aakash Chopra Advocates Patience and Time on the FieldAhead of India's crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Afghanistan, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed his views on Virat Kohli's recent performance. Chopra believes that Kohli's form will improve if he spends more time on the field.Kohli has struggled in the group stage, scoring only 1, 4, and 0 runs against Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States, respectively. Chopra emphasized that Kohli's return to form is not solely dependent on the opponent but rather on his exceptional caliber as a player."I believe Virat Kohli should return to form against Afghanistan, not because of the opponent, but because of the calibre of player he is and the form he exhibited coming into this World Cup," Chopra said. "Considering the venue, there is hope the ball will come onto the bat well, and the side boundaries aren't very large. I think he has been overly aggressive."Chopra further analyzed Kohli's dismissals during this World Cup, suggesting that an overly optimistic approach has hindered his performance. "In India's last match against Afghanistan in Bengaluru, he attempted a six on the first ball and got out. His dismissals during this World Cup suggest an overly positive approach that hasn't worked for him. I hope he gives himself some time because Fazalhaq Farooqi and Naveen-ul-Haq are in excellent form, plus they have a strong spin attack. If Kohli gives himself some time, his form won't be a concern," Chopra said.Chopra's advice aligns with the need for Kohli to regain his composure and focus on building an innings. By spending more time at the crease, Kohli can assess the conditions, adjust his approach, and regain his rhythm.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup Exit: Gary Kirsten's Alleged Remarks Fuel ControversiesFormer Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra has weighed in on the reported remarks made by Pakistan head coach Gary Kirsten following the team's disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup. Kirsten, who was recently appointed as the limited-overs head coach, has allegedly criticized the team's lack of unity and cohesion.According to Chopra, Kirsten's purported comments have further ignited the controversies surrounding the Pakistan team. "Allegedly Gary Kirsten has said the Pakistan team is not a team at all, that they are looking to pull each others' legs, there are groups created and everyone is divided, they play together but don't do anything like playing together, the five fingers don't combine to make a fist," Chopra said in a video shared on his YouTube channel.Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign ended in the group stage with losses to co-hosts USA and India in Group A. Several former cricketers have voiced their concerns about the team's apparent fragmentation. Despite Kirsten denying making those remarks, Chopra believes that leaks are common in Pakistan cricket, especially after a poor performance."Gary Kirsten has probably said that he didn't say anything like that but Pakistan cricket is like a strainer. Whatever you put, it leaks from the other end. Since it's about Pakistan cricket and a bad campaign, you are reminded of one thing - success has many fathers and failure is an orphan. It worked like ghee on fire," Chopra elaborated.The alleged remarks by Kirsten have added fuel to the ongoing debate about the state of Pakistan cricket. The team's performance in the T20 World Cup has raised questions about their unity, leadership, and overall direction. It remains to be seen how the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will respond to these controversies and whether they will take any action to address the team's issues.