Cricket

India's T20I Veterans Retire, Making Way for Young GunsFollowing India's triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, legendary batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, have announced their retirement from the shortest format of international cricket. This move signals a significant transition for the Indian team, paving the way for emerging talents to showcase their abilities.Despite their departure from T20Is, Kohli, Sharma, and Jadeja remain committed to representing India in ODIs and Tests. BCCI secretary Jay Shah acknowledged the team's transition phase but hinted that the veteran players could still feature in the Champions Trophy 2025."The transition has already happened with three greats retiring," Shah stated. "The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there."With Sharma's departure, Hardik Pandya emerges as the frontrunner to lead the Indian T20I team. The all-rounder has proven his leadership capabilities by guiding the Gujarat Titans to victory in the Indian Premier League."Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them," Shah said. "You asked about Hardik, there were lot of questions over his form but the selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself."The BCCI has awarded the Indian cricket team a substantial prize money of 125 crores following their T20 World Cup triumph. This victory marks the end of an 11-year ICC trophy drought for India.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team will conclude after the T20 World Cup 2024, prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to initiate the search for his successor. While Gautam Gambhir and WV Raman have emerged as potential candidates, the absence of Dravid's reapplication has raised questions.BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has shed light on Dravid's decision, revealing that the board respected his desire to prioritize family commitments. "He told me that due to family commitments he wants to quit and we respect his decision. I didn't want to force him to extend," Shah stated.Shah lauded Dravid's invaluable contributions to Indian cricket, both as a player and an administrator. "Rahul bhai has served Indian cricket for the past five and half years. He was director of the National Cricket Academy for three years and then for the past two and half years, he served as head coach of Team India," Shah said.He emphasized Dravid's pivotal role in India's recent T20 World Cup triumph, alongside captain Rohit Sharma. "Rahul Dravid's role is as important as Rohit Sharma in this T20 World Cup title triumph. He is a man, who took the team to the 2023 ODI World Cup final and didn't wanted to leave because he wanted to finish the job," Shah added.The BCCI has confirmed that the new head coach will be appointed in time for India's upcoming series against Sri Lanka. "Both coach and selector appointments will be made shortly. CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe but a new coach will join from the Sri Lanka series," Shah said.

The Indian cricket team will require two to three years to regain its dominance in T20 cricket following the international retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, according to BCCI President Roger Binny.Kohli, 35, and Sharma, 37, played pivotal roles in India's second T20 World Cup triumph on Saturday, defeating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final. However, both players have now stepped away from the T20I format."There is so much talent in the IPL, and many cricketers are coming through, but it will take some time to bridge the gap after the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from T20Is," Binny said."They have contributed so much. It's going to take time. We will probably see in the next two-three years, the team coming back into its own without them."Sharma leaves T20Is with 4231 runs from 159 matches, including five centuries and 32 fifties. Kohli, in 125 T20I matches, scored 4188 runs at an average of 48.69, with his highest score being 122 against Afghanistan in 2022.Both players will continue to play in the IPL and represent India in ODIs and Tests.Binny, who was part of India's 1983 ODI World Cup-winning team, believes that the maiden World Cup victory transformed India from underdogs to contenders."In 1983, we went as underdogs. But after that, that tag was taken off us. Whenever we go into World Cup, people expect India to win. No one is taking us lightly anymore," he said.The conclusion of the T20 World Cup marks the end of Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach. There is speculation that former opener Gautam Gambhir will replace him, but Binny declined to comment on the matter."Nothing concrete has come yet. Gautam Gambhir has a lot of experience. He has worked with teams. He played Test matches, ODIs, T20s. Let's see," he said.

The Indian cricket team's recent triumph at the T20 World Cup has ignited ambitious aspirations within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Secretary Jay Shah has set his sights on conquering the World Test Championship and Champions Trophy, emphasizing the significance of experienced senior players in the squad."Our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy," Shah declared. "The seniors will be there."Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, instrumental in India's victory over South Africa, have bid farewell to T20Is, along with Ravindra Jadeja. Shah lauded their contributions, highlighting the value of experience in high-stakes tournaments."Experience makes a lot of difference," Shah said. "A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game. We saw that yesterday."India's title drought has been broken after a decade of near misses in major finals. Shah expressed optimism about the team's future, citing its depth and versatility."We have the biggest bench strength," Shah said. "We can field three teams if needed."The transition following the retirement of key players is underway, with Shah acknowledging the impact of their departure."Transition has already happened with three greats retiring," Shah remarked.India's T20 World Cup victory marks their first ICC title in 11 years, fueling hopes for continued success with a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is poised to appoint a new head coach for the Indian cricket team ahead of the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka later this month. Former opener Gautam Gambhir is widely tipped to replace Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after India's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup.BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed the news, revealing that the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) had interviewed and shortlisted two candidates. "Both coach and selector appointments will be made shortly," Shah said. "CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that."The CAC shortlisted Gambhir and former India women's coach WV Raman for the high-profile position. The Indian cricket team will tour Sri Lanka for three T20Is and three ODIs, beginning on July 27.Shah praised key players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for their contributions to India's recent T20 World Cup victory. Both players played essential roles in the final against South Africa, leading India to a seven-run victory. Sharma and Kohli have since announced their retirement from T20 international cricket, with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja following suit a day later."It was the same captain last year and here in Barbados," Shah commented. "We won all games except the final in 2023 as Australia played better. This time we worked even harder and played better to win the title. If you look at other teams, experience counts. From Rohit to Virat, all excelled. Experience makes a lot of difference, in World Cups you can't experiment much also. A good player knows when to say goodbye to the game, we saw that yesterday. You look at Rohit's strike rate, it is better than a lot of young players."Shah noted that leadership decisions would be confirmed after discussions with the selectors. "Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them. You asked about Hardik, there were a lot of questions over his form but we and selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself."Shah addressed the transition in the team following the retirement of such significant players. "Transition has already happened with three greats retiring," he added.India, which has faced a series of disappointments in big finals over the past decade, broke their title drought with the recent T20 World Cup victory. Jay Shah expressed optimism about maintaining this winning momentum."I would want India to win all the titles," Shah expressed. "We have the biggest bench strength, only three players from this team are going to Zimbabwe. We can field three teams if the need arises. The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there."While plans for a felicitation ceremony for the victorious squad are underway, they have been delayed due to a hurricane warning that has shut down the airport in Barbados."Like you, we are also stuck here," Shah said. "Once the travel plans are clear, we will think about the felicitation."Shah also confirmed that an India A team would tour Australia later this year, in preparation for the five-Test series Down Under.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a generous bonus of INR 125 crore (approximately USD 15 million) for the victorious Indian squad that triumphed in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. The announcement was made by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah in a post on social media, a day after India's thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final in Barbados."I am delighted to announce prize money of INR 125 Crores for Team India for winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024," Shah wrote. "The team has showcased exceptional talent, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and support staff for this outstanding achievement!"In addition to the BCCI's bonus, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has also awarded a cash prize of USD 2.45 million to the World Cup winners. Each team that won a match in the tournament (excluding the semi-finals and finals) received an additional $31,154. The ICC's cash prize is the highest in the history of the men's T20 World Cup, representing an increase of USD 850,000 from the USD 1.6 million won by England in 2022.Overall, all participating teams received more prize money from this tournament than in previous editions. The total prize money for the tournament has more than doubled from USD 5.6 million in 2022 to USD 11.25 million this year, resulting in increased awards for all 20 teams.South Africa, as runners-up, received USD 1.28 million (up from USD 800,000 in 2022), while the losing semi-finalists, Afghanistan and England, each received USD 787,500 (up from USD 400,000 in 2022).The Indian team's victory in the T20 World Cup is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent. The team's performance throughout the tournament has been a source of pride for the nation and has further cemented India's status as a cricketing powerhouse.

As India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the tenure of head coach Rahul Dravid draws to a close. Following the triumph, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny expressed his admiration for the Men in Blue and suggested that former opener Gautam Gambhir would be a valuable asset as India's next coach.India's second T20 World Cup victory, achieved by a narrow seven-run margin over South Africa, has sparked speculation about the next head coach. With Dravid's contract expiring after the 2024 T20 World Cup in June, Gambhir has emerged as a strong contender, backed by several former cricketers.Gambhir has expressed his eagerness to coach the Indian team, stating that it would be an honor. However, he has remained tight-lipped about the possibility of replacing his former teammate Dravid. Binny emphasized the need for a head coach with experience in all formats of cricket."Gautam Gambhir has got a lot of experience, and if he takes the job, it's definitely going to be a good thing for Indian cricket," Binny said. "He is experienced, that's what India needs. India needs a coach who played the game, and he has played in all three formats of the game."Following India's World Cup victory, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 internationals. Binny acknowledged the difficulty of replacing such exceptional players but expressed hope that young players would step up to fill their shoes."They have been outstanding...it is going to be very difficult to replace them immediately...it is going to be a great loss at the moment," Binny said. "Hopefully, we should get some young cricketers, the IPL is full of talent. It's not going to be easy, but we can try and get some young cricketers to do what they have done."Under Dravid's guidance, Team India made significant strides, reaching the finals of the ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship before falling to Australia in both events. India's 11-year ICC title drought ended with their triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, a testament to the team's unity and meticulous planning."Rahul as a cricketer has been fantastic," Binny said. "His contribution to the team has been tremendous because of the experience he brought to the table...he really did a fantastic job with them. It's just unfortunate that he lost a few games, he lost the last World Cup."

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently held an informal meeting with representatives of all its affiliates at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. The meeting was chaired by BCCI secretary Jay Shah and aimed to exchange views on Indian cricket and discuss key issues.Shah expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, stating that it was a constructive dialogue that allowed for valuable contributions from the state associations. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including the success of the 2023 World Cup, the Women's Premier League, and the Indian Premier League.Shah also shared updates on the development of the National Cricket Academy project in Bengaluru and proposed changes to the domestic season. The state associations welcomed the opportunity to provide their feedback and suggestions on these matters.The meeting was held at the recently renovated BCCI office, which has been upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities. The BCCI is committed to providing a modern and efficient work environment for its staff and stakeholders.The BCCI's focus on transparency and collaboration was evident in the meeting. By engaging with its affiliates, the BCCI aims to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are considered in its decision-making process.The meeting was a positive step towards strengthening the relationship between the BCCI and its affiliates. It provided a platform for open dialogue and allowed for a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Indian cricket.

Gautam Gambhir Remains Noncommittal on Potential India Head Coach AppointmentFormer India opener Gautam Gambhir has declined to comment on his potential appointment as the next head coach of the national cricket team, stating that he does not "see that far ahead."Gambhir, 42, was speaking at an event organized by the Indian Chambers of Commerce in Kolkata on Friday. Earlier this week, he participated in a virtual interview with the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). Many believe he is the frontrunner to take over from current head coach Rahul Dravid, whose tenure is set to conclude after the ongoing T20 World Cup.Despite his recent success as a team mentor, playing a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) third IPL title win, Gambhir refused to be drawn into speculation about his prospects."I don't see that far ahead. You are grilling me, asking me all tough questions," Gambhir said, as quoted by PTI. "It is difficult to answer right now. All I can say is that I'm happy being here, just finished a brilliant journey (and) let's enjoy that. I'm in a very happy space right now," he added.Gambhir's evasiveness has fueled further speculation about his potential appointment. The CAC, comprising former India captain Madan Lal, former India all-rounder Sulakshana Naik, and former India women's captain Shanta Rangaswamy, is expected to make a decision on the next head coach soon.If appointed, Gambhir would bring a wealth of experience to the role. He played 58 Tests, 147 ODIs, and 37 T20Is for India, scoring over 10,000 international runs. He was also a key member of the 2011 World Cup-winning team.However, Gambhir has limited coaching experience. He served as a mentor for KKR in the 2022 IPL season, but has not held any other coaching positions.