Cricket

Former Indian Captains Kumble and Dravid Share Insights at Match Referee SeminarIn a significant event at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, former Indian captains and head coaches Anil Kumble and Rahul Dravid participated in a seminar on Wednesday, sharing their expertise on match management with match referees.The seminar delved into various aspects of managing a game on the field, with Kumble and Dravid providing valuable insights based on their extensive experience as players and coaches. Other notable figures in the cricketing world also contributed to the discussions, including ICC match referee and former India pacer Javagal Srinath, Elite Panel umpire Nitin Menon, and NCA Education Head Sujith Somasundar.The seminar attracted the participation of several domestic match referees, including the seasoned Manu Nayyar. The attendees engaged in discussions and deliberations on topics related to match management, exchanging their experiences and ideas to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field.Srinath, a match referee since 2006, and Nitin, who recently officiated in the T20 World Cup, shared their experiences from the prestigious tournament. Srinath, a former Indian fast bowler, has officiated in more than 250 ODIs, making him one of the few referees to achieve this milestone.Earlier this year, the ICC Elite Panel of referees and umpires retained both Srinath and Nitin for their exceptional performance and dedication to the sport. The seminar provided a platform for these experienced individuals to share their knowledge and insights with the match referees in attendance, contributing to the overall development of match management in cricket.

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, has been experimenting with leg-spin bowling during India's training session in Pallekele ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka. Pandya's bowling action has drawn comparisons to legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble, with the Lucknow Super Giants franchise sharing an image of Pandya's delivery alongside a similar image of Kumble.Pandya's return to the field in Sri Lanka comes after his match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup last month and a break from the tour of Zimbabwe. However, he will not be the vice-captain of the side, a role he held during the T20 World Cup. The BCCI has appointed Suryakumar Yadav as captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain in both T20Is and ODIs, following Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20Is.The decision to not make Pandya the T20I captain was based on his recent fitness concerns, according to BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Despite a successful return to form in the T20 World Cup, Pandya has faced personal challenges due to his separation from his wife, Natasa Stankovic.Despite these setbacks, Pandya has displayed enthusiasm in training on the tour of Sri Lanka. He will be eager to continue his impressive form from the T20 World Cup final, where his three wickets played a crucial role in India's victory over South Africa.The tour also marks the debut of Gautam Gambhir as India's head coach, replacing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup. India will play three T20Is and three ODIs during the Sri Lanka tour.

Gautam Gambhir Emerges as Frontrunner for Indian Cricket Team Head Coach RoleFormer Indian cricket captain Gautam Gambhir has emerged as a leading contender for the position of head coach of the Indian cricket team, according to media reports. Gambhir's successful tenure as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders, who won the IPL 2024 title under his guidance, has reportedly caught the attention of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).Former India head coach Anil Kumble has praised Gambhir's credentials but cautioned that coaching the national side presents unique challenges. "You need somebody with a strong demeanor and continuity," Kumble told ESPNCricinfo. "Rahul [Dravid] has done a fantastic job, and hopefully, he has a swansong with the World Cup. But you also have to consider that some senior players are nearing the end of their careers."Kumble emphasized the need for a smooth transition and continuity in the team. "You need players who can go through the transition period and ensure India doesn't miss out on quality in the bowling and batting departments," he said. "You pick and choose and transition through."Despite Gambhir's familiarity with many senior players in the Indian team, Kumble believes that this factor will not be a major consideration. "Today, you have been a part of the system in some form or the other," Kumble said. "It doesn't matter that much. What you look at is the candidature and not whether this particular coach has a background of playing with the players."Kumble stressed the importance of choosing a candidate with the right stature and credibility to handle the demands of the role. "Someone who is not afraid to take those calls," he said.Gambhir's potential appointment as head coach would mark a significant shift in the team's leadership. His aggressive and vocal style as a player could bring a fresh perspective to the team's approach. However, he would also face the challenge of managing a diverse group of players and navigating the pressures of international cricket.

The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, has secured its place in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. While India played its Group Stage matches in the USA, its Super 8 matches will be held in the West Indies. The pitches in the West Indies are expected to differ significantly from those in New York, where India played its first three matches.The variable bounce and unsettled pitch in New York made it challenging for teams to score big. However, in the West Indies, India is likely to encounter pitches similar to those they play on at home. This may mean that fielding four pacers (three specialists and one allrounder) may not always be the optimal strategy.In the New York leg of the tournament, India fielded three pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh. Former Indian captain Anil Kumble believes that Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a strong contender for the second seamer position."The way he (Arshdeep) bowled that last over against Pakistan, and also the way he can bowl in different areas in the T20 game, I think certainly puts him ahead of Mohammed Siraj," Kumble told ESPNCricinfo. "If at all India takes that option of going with just the two seamers and Hardik Pandya, then yes, in that sense, plus he also gives you an extra variety with his left-arm pace."If India opts for only two seamers, it may consider playing either Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal in place of a dropped pacer. Shivam Dube, despite his performance against the USA, has not been in great form. The team management may consider bringing in Sanju Samson in his place. However, the Rohit Sharma-led team may be hesitant to disrupt a winning combination.Predicted XI:* Rohit Sharma* Virat Kohli* Rishabh Pant* Suryakumar Yadav* Shivam Dube* Hardik Pandya* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Jasprit Bumrah* Arshdeep Singh

Pat Cummins, the Australian fast bowler and captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), has etched his name in the record books of the Indian Premier League (IPL) by equaling Anil Kumble's feat of taking the second-highest number of wickets in a single season by a captain.Cummins achieved this milestone in the Qualifier 2 match of IPL 2024 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Chennai on Friday. He dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore to reach 17 wickets in the tournament, matching Kumble's tally from the 2010 season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).The Australian skipper now has the opportunity to surpass Kumble's record and even challenge Shane Warne's all-time record of 19 wickets in an IPL season for a captain. Warne achieved this feat with Rajasthan Royals in 2008.Cummins' impressive performance in IPL 2024 is a testament to his exceptional bowling skills and leadership abilities. He has been a key figure in SRH's success this season, guiding them to the final where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Sunday.The 29-year-old all-rounder has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament, consistently delivering match-winning performances with both bat and ball. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace has made him a formidable force in the IPL.Cummins' success in the IPL is a continuation of his remarkable achievements in international cricket. He led Australia to victory in both the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup last year, cementing his status as one of the best all-rounders in the world.With his team on the cusp of IPL glory, Cummins will be eager to add another chapter to his illustrious career by breaking Warne's record and guiding SRH to their second IPL title.

Former India captain Anil Kumble has raised the possibility of Mumbai Indians (MI) icon Rohit Sharma leaving the franchise after their dismal performance in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Kumble believes that other teams may be eyeing Rohit as their captain for the upcoming season, especially with the mega auction on the horizon.Kumble's comments come after MI finished at the bottom of the points table with just 10 points, marking their worst-ever performance in the IPL. The team's struggles were evident throughout the season, with key players like Rohit, Jasprit Bumrah, and Suryakumar Yadav failing to live up to expectations.Analyzing MI's season, Kumble expressed concerns about the future of the trio. "Let's be fair. I'm sure there'd be a conversation, which is not going to be easy. Ideally, that conversation needs to happen after the World Cup. You don't know whether Rohit will remain with MI; I'm sure he would want to go out. Teams will look for captains too. Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav are leadership materials, too. Bumrah has captained India. Even if the franchises want to keep them, the ball remains with the players. It all depends on how they are going to go about," Kumble said on Jio Cinema.Rohit's departure would be a significant blow to MI, who have relied heavily on his leadership and batting prowess over the years. The 36-year-old has led MI to five IPL titles, including back-to-back triumphs in 2019 and 2020. However, his form has dipped in recent seasons, and his captaincy has come under scrutiny.With the mega auction approaching, several teams may be looking to acquire Rohit's services. He remains one of the most experienced and successful captains in the IPL, and his presence could boost any franchise's chances of success.

IPL Scheduling and T20 World Cup Preparation: Harbhajan and Kumble Offer Contrasting ViewsFormer India spinner Harbhajan Singh has raised concerns over the scheduling of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in relation to the upcoming T20 World Cup. Singh believes that the BCCI's scheduling is flawed, as the IPL final concludes just a week before the start of the World Cup. He emphasizes the need for Indian players to have at least 4-5 practice games before their opening match against Ireland on June 5.However, former India captain Anil Kumble holds a different perspective. While acknowledging that more practice games would be beneficial, Kumble believes that the two warm-up matches scheduled for the Indian team are sufficient. He points out that playing 16-17 IPL games provides ample preparation for the World Cup.Singh argues that the IPL is the ideal platform for Indian players to prepare for the World Cup. He believes that players who are not involved in the IPL playoffs will have ample time to prepare, while those who reach the playoffs will leave immediately after the tournament.Kumble, on the other hand, suggests that some Indian players may leave the IPL before the final if their teams are eliminated from the playoffs. He emphasizes that the IPL provides a high-pressure environment that simulates the intensity of the World Cup.Both Singh and Kumble agree that the IPL is a valuable preparation tool for the T20 World Cup. However, they differ on the optimal number of practice games required before the tournament. Singh advocates for a longer preparation period, while Kumble believes that the current schedule is adequate.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has witnessed a significant disparity between batsmen and bowlers, with batters accumulating runs at an unprecedented rate. To address this imbalance, legendary Indian cricketer Anil Kumble has proposed several measures to enhance the challenges faced by bowlers.Kumble suggests increasing the size of boundaries at all venues, maximizing the distance batters must cover to score runs. He also advocates for a more pronounced seam on white balls, which would provide bowlers with greater movement and swing. These changes, he believes, would restore a balance between bat and ball.The current run rate in IPL 2024 stands at 9.57, the highest in the tournament's history. Over 250 scores have surpassed eight runs per over, and a record 1133 sixes have been hit. This has put immense pressure on bowlers, who have struggled to contain the onslaught of runs.Kumble emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between bat and ball, arguing that an overemphasis on batting could lead to a decline in the number of bowlers willing to participate in the game. He believes that the proposed changes would provide bowlers with a fairer chance of success.The former Mumbai Indians chief mentor also commented on the team's disappointing season, which has seen them eliminated from playoff contention. Kumble suggests that the transition from Rohit Sharma to Hardik Pandya as captain may have been too abrupt and that Sharma could have continued leading the team for another year.Kumble also praised Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill for his aggressive approach in his first year as an IPL captain. Despite the team's failure to qualify for the playoffs, Kumble believes that Gill has shown promise and will learn from his experiences.Regarding Rajasthan Royals, who have qualified for the playoffs but are on a losing streak, Kumble expressed concern about their current form. He attributed their struggles to inconsistent batting and injuries, but remains optimistic that they can regain their momentum in time for the playoffs.

Anil Kumble, the legendary leg-spinner, has always been known for his analytical approach to cricket. Even during his playing days, he pursued an engineering degree, demonstrating his keen interest in understanding the intricacies of the game.Post-retirement, Kumble has embraced technology to enhance his understanding of cricket. He co-founded Spektacom, a company that has developed an AI-based smart bat sticker. This device provides real-time insights into a player's shots, helping them identify areas for improvement.Kumble believes that AI has immense potential in cricket, a sport heavily reliant on statistics. He envisions AI being used in coaching, talent scouting, player selection, and even strategy formulation. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI can help teams identify key variables and make informed decisions.However, Kumble acknowledges that AI is still in its early stages in cricket. While it is currently being used primarily for analysis, its predictive and strategic capabilities are yet to be fully explored. He emphasizes the need for more extensive testing and implementation of AI in live game situations.Kumble also highlights the potential of AI to enhance fan experience. By providing insights into player performance and predicting outcomes, AI can make cricket more engaging and interactive for spectators.Despite the potential benefits of AI, Kumble cautions against its indiscriminate use. He stresses the importance of thorough testing and understanding the technology before implementing it in live games.