Cricket

Ajit Agarkar's Adelaide Heroics: A Pivotal Moment in Indian Cricket HistoryIn the annals of Indian cricket, Ajit Agarkar's performance in Adelaide in 2003 stands as a testament to his skill and the indomitable spirit of the Indian team. During the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, played from December 12-16, 2003, Agarkar delivered a spell that would forever be etched in the memories of cricket enthusiasts.Facing a formidable Australian batting lineup that included the likes of Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, and Adam Gilchrist, Agarkar rose to the occasion. In Australia's second innings, he unleashed a devastating spell, claiming six wickets for just 41 runs. His victims included key batsmen Langer, Ponting, Simon Katich, and Gilchrist.Agarkar's spell played a pivotal role in bowling out Australia for a mere 196 runs, setting up a manageable target of 230 for India. This was a remarkable feat considering Australia's mammoth first-innings score of 556, with Ponting scoring a double century.India responded with a strong batting performance, scoring 523 thanks to centuries from Rahul Dravid (233) and VVS Laxman (148). Dravid's composed unbeaten 72 guided India to a four-wicket victory.This victory was significant for several reasons. It was one of India's rare Test victories on Australian soil, a testament to their growing competitiveness overseas. It also underlined the team's determination and teamwork, which would become a hallmark of the memorable 2003-04 series in Australia, which ended in a 1-1 draw.Agarkar's spell in Adelaide 2003 is celebrated as a pivotal moment in one of India's most famous overseas Test victories. Known more for his contributions as an all-rounder, this was one of Agarkar's finest performances with the ball in Test cricket. It silenced critics who questioned his ability to deliver as a strike bowler and showcased his potential to perform under pressure.Winning a Test in Australia was a rare feat for India at the time, and Agarkar's performance played a decisive role in achieving this victory. The victory in Adelaide remains one of India's most cherished overseas Test wins, and Agarkar's spell is remembered as one of the cornerstones of this success.This performance cemented Agarkar's place in Indian cricket history as a hero of that iconic Test. It also highlighted the importance of team contributions beyond just the usual stars, showcasing the depth and resilience of the Indian team.

Rohit Sharma, the former captain of India's T20 team, has expressed his gratitude towards Rahul Dravid, Ajit Agarkar, and Jay Shah for their unwavering support during his tenure. He acknowledged their backing in his endeavor to bring out the best in his players without being overly concerned about the outcomes. This approach ultimately led to India's triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup.India's journey in the ICC tournament culminated in a resounding victory against South Africa in the final, held in Barbados. This marked their second T20 world title, with the first being clinched in 2007. Rohit, who spearheaded the team's success, also announced his retirement from the shortest format following this remarkable achievement."It was my dream to transform this team and not worry too much about the stats, the results, to make sure that we create that environment where people can go out there and play freely without thinking too much," Rohit said, as quoted by PTI, after being named the men's international cricketer of the year at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards."That is what was required. I got a lot of help from my three pillars, who are actually Mr Jay Shah, Mr Rahul Dravid (and the) chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar," he said."That was very critical for me to do what I did and obviously not to forget the players, who came in at different points in time and helped the team to achieve what we achieved," he said.Rohit expressed that the feeling of winning the World Cup, which ended India's decade-long drought in global tournaments, was beyond words to describe."(It was) a feeling that cannot come everyday. It was something that we were really hoping for. When we won the World Cup, it was important for all of us to enjoy the moment which we did pretty well and thanks to our nation as well for celebrating with us," he said."As much as it meant for us, it meant a whole lot to the entire nation as well. It felt really great to bring it (trophy) back home here and celebrate with everyone here.""(It is a) fantastic feeling that can never be put out in words. I don't think it's a feeling that can be expressed. It won't do justice to our effect when all that happened," Rohit said.The Mumbaikar mentioned that he doesn't worry about the exact weight of a bat, instead preferring to go by how it feels in his hands."The guys who spend time with me in the changing room where I put my stickers and I put the bat tape and all that, will tell you (that) whichever bat I pick up, I go and play with that," he said."The balance of the bat for me is very important. I have seen a lot of guys who are pretty much into 'how many grains the bat has', 'what is the weight of the bat' and 'how does it look from outside', but I am not that kind of a person. I will pick up the bat and if I feel this is the right bat, I will go and play with that," he said.Despite leading the Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles as captain, Rohit's hunger to add more trophies to his collection remains insatiable."There is a reason I won five IPL trophies. I'm not going to stop, because once you get the taste of winning games, winning Cups, you don't want to stop and we'll keep pushing as a team. We'll keep striving for better things in the future," he said.As an extension, he wanted more success with India too as their ODI and Test leader."We've got a couple of solid tours coming up, very challenging ones as well. For us, it never stops. Once you achieve something you always look forward to achieving more.""That is what I will be doing. I'm pretty sure my teammates will be thinking on the same line. What I've seen in the last two years in Indian cricket, there's some real excitement, some real good cricket is being played," he added.

Former Indian opener Krishnamachari Srikkanth has expressed his displeasure over the reasons given by India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar for not appointing Hardik Pandya as the T20I captain. Agarkar had cited Pandya's injury history and uncertain availability as the primary reasons for overlooking him for the captaincy role.Srikkanth, however, believes that fitness should not have been a factor in the decision-making process. He pointed out that Pandya played the entire IPL season and bowled regularly, despite Mumbai Indians' failure to qualify for the playoffs. He also highlighted Pandya's performance as vice-captain during India's T20 World Cup triumph last month."Fitness is something that I will not agree with," Srikkanth said. "He played the entire IPL. He also bowled. Yes, he might not have done well (in the IPL). That's another issue. Mumbai Indians didn't qualify. At the World Cup, he was the vice-captain and he played well."Srikkanth also criticized the selectors for not being transparent about their decision. He believes they should have clearly stated that they were dropping Pandya as captain and moving forward with Suryakumar Yadav as a long-term option."The reasons that they are giving they could have said it in a straightforward manner 'we are dropping Hardik Pandya as captain, we want to move forward. We are looking at Suryakumar as a long term'. Make it clear. Say it without fear," he added.Agarkar, on the other hand, maintained that fitness was a major concern for the selectors. He explained that they wanted someone who was likely to be available more consistently."Fitness has been something that he's struggled with," Agarkar said. "As selectors, it becomes difficult then. The thought behind it was that we want someone who is likely to be available more."Agarkar also praised Suryakumar's fitness level and positive feedback from the team management as key factors in his selection as captain."Why Surya was made captain? Because he is one of the deserving candidates. The one we know has been around the dressing room over the last one year, you get feedback from the dressing room a lot. He has got a good cricketing brain and he is still one of the best T20 batters in the world," he said.

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and selection committee chief Ajit Agarkar held a press conference ahead of the team's departure to Sri Lanka for a white-ball series. Here are the key takeaways:Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's ODI Future:Gambhir did not rule out the possibility of selecting Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2027 ODI World Cup, but emphasized the importance of fitness. He stated that both players could be part of the side if they maintain their fitness levels.Suryakumar Yadav's T20I Captaincy and ODI Future:Agarkar confirmed that Hardik Pandya's fitness issues led to Suryakumar Yadav being appointed as T20I captain. However, Yadav is not currently in the ODI squad due to competition from Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer.Ravindra Jadeja's Absence From Sri Lanka ODIs:Agarkar clarified that Jadeja was not dropped from the team but rested due to the upcoming Test schedule.Shubman Gill As Vice-Captain:Gill has been elevated as vice-captain in ODIs and T20Is, reflecting the BCCI's long-term plans for him as a player in all three formats.Hardik Pandya's Fitness:Agarkar admitted that Pandya's fitness is a concern for the selectors. With Pandya no longer captain, the team management hopes to manage his workload and skillset better.Mohammed Shami's Return:Agarkar revealed that Shami has resumed bowling in the nets and could be available for the Bangladesh Test series.Relationship With Virat Kohli:Gambhir dismissed rumors of a rift with Kohli, stating that they are both committed to representing India. He declined to comment on their personal relationship.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of Team India, has outlined his vision for Indian cricket, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the team's success over personal agendas. In his inaugural press conference alongside chief selector Ajit Agarkar, Gambhir stressed the need for transparency and direct communication to address any speculation regarding his appointment and the team's direction.Gambhir acknowledged the accomplishments of his predecessor, Rahul Dravid, and highlighted his intent to continue the team's legacy of achieving significant milestones. He stated, "I am taking over a very, very successful team. T20 World champions, runners-up in the WTC and ODI World Cup. The betterment of Gautam Gambhir is not important; Indian cricket is."Agarkar provided insights into the recent selection decisions, explaining the rationale behind appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the T20I captain over Hardik Pandya. He emphasized the importance of having a captain who can consistently participate in all games, citing Pandya's fitness challenges.Agarkar also addressed the exclusion of star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja from the Sri Lanka series, clarifying that Jadeja was rested, not dropped. He pointed out the strategic reasons for this decision, stating that it was pointless to take both Axar Patel and Jadeja in the same short series.Gambhir and Agarkar's remarks underscore a clear vision centered on strategic planning, transparency, and maintaining the high standards set by the team's recent successes. Moving forward, the focus is on the collective objective of enhancing Indian cricket, addressing challenges with clear communication, and making informed decisions for the future.

Hardik Pandya's captaincy aspirations have been dealt a significant blow with the announcement of India's squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Despite expectations of being named T20I captain, the new management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, has opted for Suryakumar Yadav as the skipper.Gambhir's arrival as head coach has reportedly played a role in Pandya's omission, with the former India opener unconvinced by his consistency and fitness. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has also expressed concerns about Pandya's tactical awareness, a crucial attribute for a successful captain.Agarkar's reservations stem from Pandya's below-par international appearance percentage of 50% across T20Is and ODIs in the last 19 months. The selection committee believes he requires guidance and support, which he received from Ashish Nehra at Gujarat Titans but not from Mark Boucher at Mumbai Indians.The younger players in the Indian dressing room are also said to respond better to Suryakumar's leadership style than Pandya's. This feedback has further influenced the decision to hand the captaincy to the Mumbai Indians batter.Pandya's path forward is now uncertain. He must perform exceptionally well in the Sri Lanka T20Is to prove his worth. Additionally, he needs to play domestic cricket to improve his international appearance percentage.If Pandya aspires to represent India at the Champions Trophy next year, he must participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda in December. Despite the setback, Pandya's leadership ambitions are not over, as cricket is a game of unpredictable twists and turns.

The exclusion of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the list of centrally-contracted players was a decision made solely by chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, according to BCCI secretary Jay Shah. This decision has sparked controversy, with many questioning the rationale behind it.Shah emphasized that "nobody is indispensable" and that the decision was made in accordance with the BCCI's policy of prioritizing domestic cricket. Kishan and Iyer were left out after failing to show up for domestic engagements despite a directive from the BCCI.Kishan went on a long break after the end of the ODI World Cup last year and remained unavailable until the IPL. Iyer eventually did feature in a few matches for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, including the semifinal and the final. However, he still found himself at the receiving end after it emerged that he had attended a Kolkata Knight Riders' camp in Mumbai when his domestic side was busy playing a Ranji Trophy fixture.Shah reiterated the Board's position that Indian players will have to prioritize domestic cricket. He stated that he had spoken with the players after their exclusion and that they had expressed their willingness to play in domestic tournaments if they were considered for white-ball selection.Shah also addressed the issue of high scores in this year's IPL, saying that it ultimately comes down to who is playing well and who can sustain performance. He emphasized that players need to prove themselves and give back-to-back performances in Team India.Shah also revealed that he had a conversation with Kishan after Mumbai Indians' match against Gujarat Titans. He said that he did not advise him anything but rather had a friendly talk with him, encouraging him to do well.The decision to exclude Kishan and Iyer has been met with mixed reactions. Some have criticized the BCCI for being too harsh, while others have supported the move, arguing that it sends a strong message to players about the importance of domestic cricket.

Rinku Singh's exclusion from India's T20 World Cup squad has sparked controversy, with many questioning the selectors' decision. The left-handed batsman has been in impressive form for India, scoring 356 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 176.23 and an average of 89.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar acknowledged that Singh's omission was a "toughest decision," but explained that the team needed more bowling options. "We're not sure of the conditions we'll get (in the USA) and we wanted to have enough (bowling) options," Agarkar said.Despite calls for fresh blood in the T20 team, the selectors opted for experience, with the top six in the batting order remaining largely unchanged from the 2022 T20 World Cup. Agarkar defended this decision, stating that the experienced players have been "good enough to be around.""We've tried to get in players who are going to bat a certain way in the middle of the innings, where a lot of teams will use spin sometimes," Agarkar said. "We have tried to address that. We have tried to get in some left-handers as well through the middle of that innings."Agarkar also addressed concerns over Virat Kohli's strike rate, which has been a topic of debate. "We have not been discussing it," Agarkar said. "He has been in great form, no concerns there at all."The selectors also defended the inclusion of Hardik Pandya as Rohit Sharma's deputy. "Nothing was discussed with regard to vice-captaincy," Agarkar said. "About form, he has come after a longish year off. The good part that we have looked at is he has got through all the games so far for MI."

India's T20 World Cup Squad Unveiled: Agarkar and Rohit Sharma to Address MediaThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to announce its squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma will hold a press conference in Mumbai to reveal the selected players and provide insights into the selection process.The press conference will be held on Tuesday, and the duo will take questions from the media. The announcement of the squad has been eagerly anticipated by cricket fans across the country, as India aims to reclaim the T20 World Cup title after their disappointing performance in the 2021 edition.Agarkar, a former India pacer, has been instrumental in the selection process. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role, having played 191 ODIs and 26 Tests for India. Sharma, on the other hand, is one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. He has led India to numerous victories, including the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 Asia Cup.The selection of the squad is based on several factors, including recent performances, fitness, and team balance. The selectors have considered the strengths and weaknesses of the players and have chosen a squad that they believe can compete at the highest level.The T20 World Cup will be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13. India is placed in Group 2 alongside Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh, and two qualifiers. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super 12 stage.