Cricket

Nitish Kumar Reddy: Gautam Gambhir's Guidance Propels All-Rounder's RiseIn the realm of cricket, fast-bowling all-rounders are a rare breed. India has faced a dearth of quality batters who can also bowl pace, with Hardik Pandya being the standout exception. However, with Pandya's India career currently limited to white-ball cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has turned to Nitish Kumar Reddy for the upcoming Australia tour.Reddy has already made a mark with his batting in the T20I series against Bangladesh. As his stock rises in international cricket, he has revealed a valuable tip from coach Gautam Gambhir that has played a pivotal role in his success.In an interview with the Hindustan Times, Reddy shared the insights he gained from Gambhir and other members of the team management during the Bangladesh series. "They encouraged me to play aggressively, with the same approach I displayed in the IPL," Reddy said. "They emphasized playing according to the situation."During a drinks break, Gambhir approached Reddy after he played a reverse sweep that required a DRS review. "He told me, 'Nitish, you have good power. You can clear the boundary line easily. You have no need to play reverse sweep on these kind of wickets because the ball is keeping low,'" Reddy recalled.Reddy's 74-run knock against Bangladesh in the second T20I showcased his batting prowess. He credits Gambhir's guidance for his success during this phase of his career. "He told me to back my power, and I did just that," Reddy said. "The over bowled by the spinner turned out very well for me at that time."Gambhir also provided valuable advice on Reddy's bowling. The pacer typically bowls between 130-135 kmph, but he has the potential to reach speeds over 140 kmph. However, Reddy prioritizes consistency over pace."I feel like bowling 130-135 is good pace," Reddy said. "Rather than trying to bowl faster, I want to focus on consistency. I want to hit the top of the off stump. That's what Gautam sir also kept on mentioning to me."Reddy's all-round abilities have made him a valuable asset to the Indian team. With his batting prowess and developing bowling skills, he is poised to make a significant impact on the upcoming Australia tour.

Irfan Pathan, the former Indian all-rounder, celebrates his 40th birthday today. Known for his prodigious swing bowling and vital knocks, Pathan was one of India's most versatile cricketers during his illustrious career.Hat-trick against Pakistan in 2006:Arguably Pathan's most iconic moment came in the Karachi Test against Pakistan in 2006. He became the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in the opening over of a Test match, dismissing Salman Butt, Younis Khan, and Mohammad Yousuf in consecutive deliveries. This historic feat etched his name into the annals of cricket history.Man of the Match in the 2007 T20 World Cup Final:Pathan played a pivotal role in India's victory in the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. In the high-pressure final against Pakistan, he delivered a match-winning spell of 3 for 16, helping India clinch the trophy. His remarkable bowling under pressure earned him the Man of the Match award, contributing significantly to India's historic triumph.Match-winning All-round Show in the Perth Test, 2008:In one of the toughest assignments for any cricketer, an overseas Test in Australia, Pathan produced a stellar all-round performance in Perth in 2008. He took 5 wickets in the match and also scored 46 vital runs in the second innings, helping India secure a rare victory on Australian soil. His ability to make an impact with both bat and ball was on full display, earning him the Man of the Match award in India's famous win at the WACA.Maiden Test Century in 2007:Pathan was not just a bowler but also a more than capable batsman. In the Bangalore Test against Pakistan in 2007, he scored his maiden and only Test century, batting at No. 8. His knock of 102 was a testament to his batting skills and versatility, proving he could contribute with the bat at crucial moments. It remains one of the highlights of his Test career.As Irfan Pathan turns 40, his contributions to Indian cricket are fondly remembered. Whether it was his lethal swing bowling, his crucial knocks with the bat, or his never-say-die spirit, Pathan remains a beloved figure in Indian cricket.

Cameron Green's Spine Injury Rules Him Out of India Test SeriesAustralian all-rounder Cameron Green will miss the upcoming five-Test series against India due to a spine injury that requires surgery this week. The 25-year-old experienced back pain during Australia's ODI tour of England in September and was immediately sent home for further evaluation.According to Cricket Australia, Green has a unique defect in an area adjacent to the fracture that is believed to be contributing to the injury. After thorough consultation, it was determined that surgery would be the best course of action to stabilize the defect and reduce the risk of future recurrence.The recovery time for Green is expected to be around six months, which means he will not only miss the India series but also the Test tour of Sri Lanka in February and the ICC Champions Trophy tournament. Cricket Australia emphasized that the decision to proceed with surgery was made with Green's long-term future as an all-rounder in mind.Green's absence will be a significant loss for the Australian team, as he has been a valuable fifth bowling option alongside Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon. In his 28 Test appearances, Green has taken 35 wickets and scored 1,377 runs, including a remarkable 174 not out against New Zealand in March, showcasing his abilities as a pure batsman.The injury to Green is a blow to Australia's hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India. The all-rounder has been in excellent form in recent months, scoring a century in the first Test against the West Indies in Perth and taking five wickets in the second Test in Adelaide.Australia will now have to find a replacement for Green in their squad for the India series. The most likely candidate is all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who has been in good form for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Nitish Reddy, the promising Indian all-rounder, has credited the team management for giving him the freedom to play fearless cricket after his impressive performance in the second T20I against Bangladesh. The 21-year-old Andhra native played a pivotal role in India's victory, smashing a 34-ball 74 and claiming 2/23 with his medium-pace bowling.Reddy's innings was a display of power and confidence, as he took advantage of two early reprieves to hit a six off a free-hit thanks to a no-ball by Mahmudullah. He grew in confidence throughout his knock, helping India post an imposing 221/9.With the ball, Reddy showcased his versatility, bowling with accuracy and control to restrict Bangladesh to 135/9. His performance earned him praise from skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who said, "I wanted that situation, wanted my batters (5,6,7) in that situation. Happy for both (Rinku Singh and Nitish) of them."Yadav also highlighted the importance of testing the middle-order batters, saying, "They batted exactly the way I wanted. You got to go out there and express. The message has been loud and clear - do what you do in the nets, and franchises. Just the jersey changes, rest remaining remains the same."Reddy's performance has further strengthened India's position in the series, giving them an unassailable 2-0 lead going into the final T20I in Hyderabad on October 12. The all-rounder's fearless approach and ability to contribute with both bat and ball have made him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Sam Curran, the 26-year-old all-rounder, has expressed his disappointment at being overlooked for a Test recall despite Ben Stokes' injury. Curran, who was named Player of the Final and Tournament in England's T20 World Cup triumph in 2021, feels he has not been given a clear role in white-ball cricket and does not "fit the mould" of what England is looking for under Brendon McCullum.Curran's struggles in England's T20 title defense in the Caribbean earlier this year, where he took three wickets at 38.33 and batted for a total of 11 balls in five matches, have not helped his cause. He has also not featured in the ODI format since December 2023.In red-ball cricket, Curran's last Test appearance came against India in August 2021. He believes his physical limitations, particularly his height and pace, may be working against him.Despite his impressive record of contributing to winning causes, with 16 victories in his 24 Test caps, Curran has been unable to break into McCullum's England team. He acknowledges that Stokes' status as England's senior all-rounder is a factor, but also suspects that his physical attributes are not in line with the current trend towards taller, faster bowlers.Curran's omission from the recent Test series against Sri Lanka was particularly disappointing for him. He had hoped to use Stokes' injury as an opportunity to regain his place in the team.However, England's eight-match tour of the Caribbean offers Curran a chance to showcase his abilities. With several multi-format stars absent, he may have the opportunity to bat up the order and play a more central role.Curran remains determined to prove his worth and earn a place in England's Ashes squad and future Champions Trophy victory. He believes that scoring runs, taking wickets, and winning games for England or his franchises is the only way to achieve his goals.

Jacques Kallis, the legendary South African all-rounder, has been hailed as the "most talented player" ever by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Ponting's admiration stems from Kallis' exceptional all-round abilities and impressive statistics throughout his illustrious career.Kallis, who played from 1995 to 2013, amassed 13,289 runs in 166 Test matches, averaging an impressive 55.37. He scored 45 centuries and 58 fifties, solidifying his place as South Africa's highest Test run-scorer. His highest score of 224 ranks him third globally behind Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar.As a bowler, Kallis claimed 292 wickets at an average of 32.65, with best figures of 6/54. He took five five-wicket hauls in Tests, making him South Africa's seventh-highest wicket-taker.In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Kallis scored 11,579 runs in 328 matches, averaging 44.36. He hit 17 centuries and 86 fifties, with a top score of 139. He was South Africa's leading run-scorer in ODIs, ranking eighth globally.With the ball, Kallis took 273 wickets in ODIs at an average of 31.79, including five-wicket hauls. He stands as South Africa's second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs, behind Shaun Pollock.In 25 T20 Internationals, Kallis scored 666 runs at an average of 35.05 and took 12 wickets.Overall, Kallis scored 25,534 runs in 519 international matches, with 62 centuries and 149 fifties. His 577 wickets across all formats place him among South Africa's top bowlers.Despite his remarkable achievements, Ponting believes that Kallis is "one of the most underrated players ever" in cricket. He noted that Kallis' all-round abilities and impressive statistics should earn him a place among the all-time greats.

Tanush Kotian, a rising star in Indian cricket, has emerged as a formidable all-rounder in the ongoing Irani Cup 2024. His exceptional performances with both bat and ball have propelled Mumbai to a commanding position in the match against Rest of India.In the first innings, Kotian showcased his batting prowess with a gritty 64 off 124 deliveries. His innings helped Mumbai post a respectable total of 537. However, it was in the second innings that Kotian truly shone.With Mumbai struggling at 171/8, Kotian stepped up to the plate and forged an unbeaten 158-run partnership with Mohit Avasthi (51* off 93 balls). Kotian's century, scored off 150 balls, was a testament to his composure and ability to handle pressure.Kotian's batting heroics were not limited to his century. He also played a crucial role in Mumbai's bowling attack. In the first innings, he claimed 3/101, the best figures for a Mumbai bowler. His wickets helped dismiss Rest of India for 416, giving Mumbai a significant lead.Thanks to Kotian's all-round performance, Mumbai managed to extend their lead to 450 runs. The match eventually ended in a draw, but Mumbai were declared winners via their first-innings lead, securing their 15th Irani Cup title after a 27-year wait.Kotian's exploits in the Irani Cup have highlighted his versatility and potential as a future star of Indian cricket. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset to any team. As he continues to develop, Kotian is poised to make a significant impact on the Indian cricket scene.

Shams Mulani, the Mumbai all-rounder, has been a consistent performer on the domestic circuit for the past three seasons. Despite missing out on the first round of the Duleep Trophy, Mulani made an immediate impact when he got his opportunity. In his first match for India A, he top-scored with 89 and took four wickets to set up their win over India D. In the next match against India C, he scored a crucial 44 and took three wickets.Mulani's performances in the Duleep Trophy have put him in contention for a place in the Indian team. However, the 27-year-old is focused on his performance and helping his team win."My target always is to help the team win. Personal milestones will come and go, but the more important thing is the team's win," Mulani said. "Personally, I would like to do what I am continuing to do for the past three seasons where I've been picking up wickets and scoring runs. I must be ready for whatever opportunity I get. For that, I need to score runs and take wickets-...just keep knocking on the door."Mulani's consistent performances have not gone unnoticed. He was included in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh. This is a great opportunity for Mulani to showcase his skills and push for a place in the Indian team.

Ravichandran Ashwin's stellar performance in the recently concluded India-Bangladesh Test series has sparked a debate about his status as an all-rounder. Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja believes that the 38-year-old Indian spinner deserves more recognition for his all-round abilities.In the two-match series, Ashwin emerged as the highest wicket-taker alongside Jasprit Bumrah, claiming 11 wickets. With the bat, he scored 114 runs at an impressive strike rate of 83.21. His contributions earned him the 'Player of the Series' award.Raja praised Ashwin's performance, particularly his century in the first innings of the Chennai Test. He also highlighted Ashwin's ability to perform consistently without making a fuss."Ashwin is no less than anyone else," Raja said. "He scores centuries and takes wickets at every opportunity, but he doesn't show too much pride or make any drama."Raja believes that India is the strongest team to beat on their home soil. He noted that Bangladesh lacked the capacity to challenge the Indian team, which won the series comfortably.