Cricket

Shahrukh Khan, the Tamil Nadu all-rounder, has expressed his contentment with his decision to stay with the Gujarat Titans (GT) franchise ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Khan, who was retained by GT for ₹4 crore, has found a sense of belonging and support within the team."A lot of people have said GT is a really good place to play cricket and I got to experience it last year. The feeling of home that they give is immense. Honestly, I haven't found it anywhere else," Khan told The Hindu after Tamil Nadu's victory over Railways in a Ranji Trophy match.Khan's decision to stay with GT was largely influenced by the camaraderie he shares with head coach Ashish Nehra. "Everybody knows what sort of a character Nehra is. He has a big heart and he is compassionate about the players and around the set-up. That was the reason behind sticking with GT because of the trust that they showed in me," Khan said.Khan's batting prowess has been recognized by GT, who have given him opportunities to bat up the order. In the 2024 IPL season, Khan scored a half-century against Royal Challengers Bangalore when he was sent in at No. 4."GT made me bat up the order against RCB. I wasn't sure about it. I knew that I could bat up the order but I really wasn't ready to go at No. 4 and play. But when they sent me, it was a new role and I understood they valued me. They know what sort of a person I am… So, it is better to stick to the team," Khan said.Khan's recent performance in the Ranji Trophy, where he scored an 86-ball 114 as an opener, further highlights his versatility and adaptability. "The idea was Bala anna's (Balaji). He asked me to go and take on the fast bowlers. I like the ball coming fast because I'm good against the pacers. So, it was his idea completely. Nobody expected it... I don't know what he saw, but whatever he saw clicked for us in this match."Khan's commitment to GT and his belief in the team's culture and support system suggest that he will continue to be a valuable asset for the franchise in the upcoming IPL seasons.

Parthiv Patel, the former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, is set to join the Gujarat Titans as their batting mentor for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This move comes after Gary Kirsten, the previous batting coach and mentor, left the franchise to become the white-ball head coach of the Pakistan cricket team.Patel's appointment is a significant addition to the Gujarat Titans' support staff, which is led by former India cricketer Ashish Nehra. Patel brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played 25 Tests, 38 ODIs, and 2 T20Is for India. He also has extensive experience in the IPL, having played for teams such as the Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Chennai Super Kings.As batting mentor, Patel will be responsible for guiding and developing the Titans' batting unit, which includes the likes of Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and David Miller. His experience and knowledge will be invaluable to the team, especially considering the Titans' disappointing performance in the previous IPL season.Patel's appointment is a clear indication of the Gujarat Titans' ambition to improve their performance in the upcoming IPL season. With a strong support staff and a talented squad, the Titans will be hoping to make a significant impact in the tournament.

The recent ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka marked a significant transition for the Indian cricket team under the leadership of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. While the tour provided an opportunity to experiment with young talent, Gambhir's decision to include experienced veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma has sparked debate among cricket experts.Former India fast bowler Ashish Nehra believes that the inclusion of Kohli and Sharma was not the optimal strategy. He argues that the series presented an ideal chance to give opportunities to emerging players, especially considering the extended break before India's next assignment."This was a good chance to give chances to young talents," Nehra said. "The presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma was not required for this series."Nehra acknowledges that Gambhir, as a new coach, may have wanted to spend time with experienced players. However, he believes that Gambhir is well-acquainted with Kohli and Sharma and could have afforded to give other players a chance."I know Gambhir is a new coach, and he wants to spend some time with the experienced players, but it isn't like he doesn't know the two of them," Nehra said. "He is not a foreign coach who wants to get his equation right with Kohli and Rohit."Nehra suggests that the series could have been an opportunity to experiment with new combinations and give young players valuable experience. He believes that Kohli and Sharma could have been rested for the Sri Lanka tour and brought back for the upcoming home season."It was a good opportunity for him to try out the new players, and Rohit and Kohli could play when the home season begins," Nehra said. "I'm not saying it is a wrong approach, but it could have been one of the strategies in this series."Gambhir's decision to include Kohli and Sharma has raised questions about his long-term vision for the Indian team. While the experienced duo remains vital to India's success, it is crucial to develop and nurture young talent to ensure a smooth transition in the future.

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as head coach of the Indian cricket team has been met with mixed reactions. Some have questioned his experience, while others have praised his leadership qualities.Gambhir, who replaced Rahul Dravid at the helm, is already in Sri Lanka with the Indian team for the upcoming white-ball tour. He was one of the two candidates interviewed for the role by BCCI's COC, following his successful stint as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).The likes of Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Mahela Jayawardene, and Stephen Fleming, were also reportedly in the race. However, the BCCI's priority was always an Indian.While Gambhir's appointment was made official on July 9, after Rahul Dravid's contract came to an end, former India pacer Ashish Nehra was also floating in the media.During a recent interaction, Nehra has opened up about why he didn't apply. The 45-year-old insisted that his children are young, and he was not in the mood to travel for nine months."Meri abhi kabhi us tareh soch nahi gayi hai. My kids are young. GG ke bacche bhi abhi young hai par sabki soch alag alag hoti hai, toh I am very happy where I am. I am not in the mood to travel for nine months (I never thought about it. My children are still young. Gautam Gambhir also has young children, but everyone has different ideas. That's why I am happy where I am. I am not in the mood to travel for nine months)," Nehra told Sports Today.Meanwhile, Gambhir also confirmed the names of two assistant coaches that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approved. Though the complete list of coaches will be confirmed only after the Sri Lanka tour, Gambhir is happy to see the board agreeing to most of his demands as the head coach of the Indian team.During a media briefing, Gambhir revealed that his former Kolkata Knight Riders mates, Ryan Ten Doeschate and Abhishek Nayar have joined him as assistant coaches."This is going to be the crux of the support staff. As I said, we still have one month after the Sri Lanka tour. We will try and finalise after the Sri Lanka tour. But, I have worked with people like Abhishek Nayar, Ryan Ten Doeschate very closely. In the last two months, especially in the IPL, I have enjoyed working with them. They are thorough professionals. Hope Ryan and Abhishek can have a successful stint.""Hopefully, we can have a successful tenure as coaches. I am really looking forward to work with the rest of the other guys as well. I have had some really good feedback from the players about the other guys. I am really looking forward to working with them. My experience and learning have been been very simple," Gambhir said.

Hardik Pandya's leadership role in India's T20I team has been revoked, with Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach, opting for Suryakumar Yadav as captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain. This decision has raised eyebrows, given Pandya's successful stint as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.Ashish Nehra, who coached Pandya at Gujarat Titans, expressed no surprise at the move. He believes that Gambhir has a different vision for the team and that Pandya does not fit into his plans as captain or vice-captain."Every coach and every captain have different thoughts. At this time, his (Gambhir's) ideas are toward that direction," Nehra said.Nehra also agreed with the chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, that Pandya's fitness was a factor in the decision. Pandya has been playing limited overs cricket and is not a regular in the Test team."Hardik Pandya, in white-ball cricket, will remain a very, very important player for Indian cricket. When you have him, you can have 4 fast bowlers, he brings in a different balance to the side," Nehra said.Nehra also praised the appointment of Shubman Gill as vice-captain, but acknowledged that he is still a "work in progress" as a leader."They have made Shubman Gill in not just one format, but in all three formats. That means you are looking ahead," Nehra said."Shubman Gill is a work in progress. He is 24-25 years old now. He will get better as we go ahead. He has the desire to play all 3 formats, he has the heart to learn," he added.

Gujarat Titans, the reigning IPL champions, are reportedly set to undergo a major coaching shakeup ahead of the 2025 season. According to sources close to the franchise, head coach Ashish Nehra and Director of Cricket Vikram Solanki are likely to depart, with legendary cricketer Yuvraj Singh emerging as a potential replacement for Nehra.Nehra and Solanki have been instrumental in Gujarat Titans' success since their debut in 2022, guiding the team to the title in their inaugural season and a runner-up finish in 2023. However, the franchise is reportedly seeking a fresh approach to maintain their dominance in the IPL.Yuvraj Singh, a former India all-rounder and two-time World Cup winner, is said to be the frontrunner to take over as head coach. His experience as a player and his understanding of the modern game make him an attractive candidate for the role.The coaching staff changes are part of a wider restructuring within the Gujarat Titans franchise. The IPL owners are scheduled to meet with the BCCI on July 30 or 31 to discuss the mega auction ahead of the 2025 season. The meeting will focus on determining the number of retentions, the Impact Player rule, and the salary purses for each franchise.Meanwhile, former India head coach Rahul Dravid is reportedly in talks with Rajasthan Royals about a potential role in the IPL. Dravid, who recently guided India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, is highly sought after by several franchises.The coaching changes and the upcoming IPL auction are expected to shape the landscape of the league in the coming years. Gujarat Titans will be keen to maintain their status as one of the top teams, while other franchises will be looking to challenge their dominance.

The search for India's next head coach is underway as Rahul Dravid's tenure nears its end after the T20 World Cup 2024. Reports suggest that Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir is the frontrunner for the position, with Ashish Nehra and VVS Laxman also in contention.The BCCI has reportedly received few applications from foreign coaches, preferring candidates with experience in the domestic circuit. Despite the May 27 application deadline, the BCCI may delay the decision as players focus on the T20 World Cup.After the World Cup, the Indian team will tour Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The BCCI may send National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches for these tours. "The deadline is fine, but the BCCI brass wouldn't mind taking some more time before reaching a decision," a BCCI source told PTI.Cricbuzz reports that a "very high-profile owner of an IPL franchise" close to the BCCI top brass has indicated that Gambhir's appointment is a "done deal." However, negotiations are ongoing, and no official announcement has been made.Gambhir faces challenges if he accepts the role. As a successful IPL mentor and TV expert, he would have to give up these roles. The demanding schedule of the Indian cricket team coach, requiring extensive travel, may also be a factor for Gambhir, who has a young family.