Cricket

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has appointed Omkar Salvi as their new bowling coach for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Salvi, who guided Mumbai to Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy titles last season, brings a wealth of experience to the RCB camp.Salvi, the younger brother of former India player Avishkar Salvi, has worked as an assistant coach with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the past. He is expected to join RCB after the conclusion of the ongoing Ranji season, which resumes on January 23.In the meantime, Salvi will oversee Mumbai's campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament. He is contracted with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) until March 2025.RCB has never won an IPL title despite participating in the tournament since its inception in 2008. The franchise will be hoping that Salvi's expertise can help them break their title drought.Salvi's appointment is a significant move for RCB, as they look to strengthen their bowling attack. The franchise has a talented group of bowlers, including Harshal Patel, Josh Hazlewood, and Wanindu Hasaranga. Salvi's guidance will be crucial in helping them reach their full potential.Salvi's experience and success at the domestic level make him a valuable addition to the RCB coaching staff. He will be working alongside head coach Sanjay Bangar and batting coach Sridharan Sriram.RCB will be hoping that Salvi's appointment can help them finally lift the IPL trophy. The franchise has a strong squad on paper, and they will be confident of making a deep run in the tournament.

Munaf Patel, the former Indian pacer and 2011 ODI World Cup winner, has been appointed as the new bowling coach of the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. This marks Munaf's first major coaching role since his retirement from competitive cricket in 2018.Munaf, known for his ability to generate reverse swing and deliver accurate yorkers, represented India in 86 matches across all three formats from 2006 to 2011. He also played for several IPL franchises, including Rajasthan Royals, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Lions, winning the IPL title with Mumbai in 2013.Munaf replaces former Australia all-rounder James Hopes, who parted ways with DC in July 2024. The franchise has undergone a significant overhaul in its coaching staff, with Hemang Badani as head coach and Venugopal Rao as director of cricket.As part of their preparations for the upcoming IPL cycle, DC has retained key players such as Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristan Stubbs, and Abishek Porel. They will enter the auction on November 24 and 25 with the third-highest purse of INR 73 crore, aiming to strengthen their squad and improve their performance after failing to reach the playoffs in the last three IPL seasons.Munaf's appointment is expected to bolster DC's bowling attack, which has struggled for consistency in recent years. His experience and expertise in the art of fast bowling will be invaluable to the team's young bowlers.

Dale Steyn Departs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Citing Personal ReasonsFormer South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has announced his departure from the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the upcoming season. Steyn, who served as the team's bowling coach since 2022, has cited personal reasons for his decision.Steyn's exit comes after he had previously made himself unavailable for IPL 2024. In a social media post, he expressed his gratitude to the Sunrisers franchise while confirming his continued involvement with the South African T20 franchise Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20.During his playing career, Steyn represented several IPL teams, including Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers, and Gujarat Lions. He last played for RCB in 2020 before transitioning to a coaching role with Sunrisers two years later.As Sunrisers' bowling coach, Steyn played a pivotal role in mentoring young Indian pacers, notably Umran Malik. Following Steyn's unavailability for IPL 2024, the franchise appointed New Zealander James Franklin as their new bowling coach.Sunrisers reached the final of the previous IPL season, where they narrowly lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. Steyn's departure marks a significant change in the team's coaching staff as they prepare for the upcoming campaign.

Former India seamer Paras Mhambrey has been appointed as Mumbai Indians' bowling coach ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Mhambrey, who previously served as MI's assistant coach, will work alongside current bowling coach Lasith Malinga under newly appointed head coach Mahela Jayawardene.Mhambrey brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as India's bowling coach from 2021 to August 2023 under Rahul Dravid. During his tenure, India won the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. He was also part of the MI setup when the team won the IPL in 2013 and the Champions League T20 in 2011 and 2013.In addition to his international and IPL experience, Mhambrey has also coached in Indian domestic cricket. He oversaw the India A team and helped Bengal reach successive Ranji Trophy finals in 2005-06 and 2006-07.As a player, Mhambrey represented India in two Tests and three ODIs between 1996 and 1998. He played for Mumbai in domestic cricket, taking 284 wickets in 91 first-class games and 111 wickets in 83 List A games.Mhambrey's appointment is part of a wider coaching staff overhaul at MI. On Sunday, the franchise announced the return of former Sri Lanka captain Jayawardene as their head coach. The coaching staff's first task will be to finalize Mumbai's retentions ahead of the October 31 deadline.MI finished at the bottom of the table in IPL 2024 with just four wins in 14 games under new captain Hardik Pandya. The team will be hoping that the new coaching staff can help them return to their former glory in the upcoming season.

Suryakumar Yadav's Hilarious Hindi Interrogation of Bowling Coach Morne MorkelAhead of the second ODI between India and Bangladesh, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a lighthearted video on Twitter featuring a comical exchange between captain Suryakumar Yadav and bowling coach Morne Morkel.In the video, Yadav playfully teases Morkel by peppering him with questions in Hindi, much to the amusement of the team. Yadav's persistent inquiries leave Morkel struggling to form coherent responses, resulting in a burst of laughter from both men."Kya hua? Bolo. (What happened? Tell me,)" Yadav asks repeatedly, while Morkel attempts to compose a suitable reply. The moment culminates in Morkel turning to the camera with a grin and jokingly saying, "You cut that out," as Yadav continues to chuckle in the background.Morkel's appointment as India's bowling coach marks a significant milestone in his coaching career. After a successful stint as a player for South Africa, he has now transitioned into a coaching role, guiding the Indian team's bowling attack.Morkel's expertise and experience have been instrumental in India's recent success in the shortest format of the game. He has played a pivotal role in developing the team's bowling strategies and nurturing the skills of young bowlers.The video shared by the BCCI provides a glimpse into the camaraderie and lighthearted atmosphere within the Indian team. It highlights the bond between Yadav and Morkel, who have quickly established a strong working relationship.As India prepares for the second ODI against Bangladesh, the team will undoubtedly draw inspiration from the positive and supportive environment that has been fostered within the squad. The video serves as a reminder that even in the midst of intense competition, there is always room for laughter and camaraderie.

England's head coach, Brendon McCullum, has defended the decision of legendary pacer James Anderson to delay his arrival in Pakistan for the ongoing Test series. Anderson, who is now the team's bowling coach, is participating in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, a pro-am golf competition in Scotland.As a result, Anderson missed the pre-series presentation for the three Tests in Pakistan and will not arrive until October 8, the second day of the first Test match. However, he has maintained contact with the English pacers, an inexperienced line-up led by veteran Chris Woakes and featuring youngsters Gus Atkinson and Brydon Carse.McCullum defended Anderson's delayed arrival, saying, "Two months ago, you guys were saying he did not deserve to be the coach. Now we are missing him. That is affirmation of how good an impact Jimmy Anderson has made in the short period of time [during] his transition from player to coach."He also emphasized that Anderson has made a huge transition from a bowler to coach following a career over two decades and that his role is not full time.Pakistan is currently playing England in a three-match series, with the first Test at Multan starting today. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first.England is at the fourth place in the ICC World Test Championship standings with eight wins, seven losses, and a draw after series wins against West Indies and Sri Lanka. Pakistan is eighth in the standings after their series loss to Bangladesh at home.

Umran Malik's meteoric rise to fame in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2022, where he showcased his blistering pace and ability to consistently bowl over 150 km/h, earned him a spot in the Indian white-ball squad. However, despite his early promise, Malik has not featured for India in more than a year, raising questions about his current predicament.Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes that Malik's rapid rise without substantial red-ball cricket experience is a significant factor in his current situation. According to Mhambrey, Malik's swift ascent to the national team via the IPL is typical of a bowler who lacks the grounding that comes from playing longer formats. With only 12 First-Class matches under his belt, Malik has struggled to maintain his place in the national lineup."Umran is a classic case of someone who has not played enough red-ball cricket," Mhambrey told The Indian Express. "He came into reckoning through the IPL. That's 24 balls in a game. Sometimes you don't even get to bowl 24 balls. The amount of pressure in bowling 24 balls is not like the red ball. I feel this (T20) is not a format to judge a prospect."Mhambrey emphasizes the importance of First-Class cricket for developing a bowler's skills and endurance. He explains that while the IPL offers a platform for showcasing talent, it doesn't replicate the mental and physical demands of longer formats."For all the perks that come with bowling in the IPL, it has its repercussions as well," Mhambrey continued. "We made sure that he played Ranji Trophy and red-ball cricket. The moment you play one season, you understand your bowling. Physically, you will be tested in different phases of the game. Sometimes you will have to be on the ground for six sessions. And to be able to bowl with that intensity when the last session is coming up, you will be physically and mentally challenged. And you need to go through that."Mhambrey's insights highlight a crucial element in Umran Malik's development: the need for experience and endurance that comes only from playing red-ball cricket. Without this foundation, Malik has found it challenging to adjust to the rigors of international cricket, leading to his exclusion from the team.

Jacob Oram, the former New Zealand all-rounder, has been appointed as the bowling coach for the New Zealand Men's cricket team. Oram will fill the role vacated by Shane Jurgensen, who stepped down after the T20 World Cup earlier this year.Oram has previously worked with the New Zealand team as bowling coach during last year's Test tour of Bangladesh, the T20I series against Australia, and the T20 World Cup. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played 160 ODIs and 33 Tests for New Zealand."I'm really excited to have the opportunity to be involved with the Blackcaps again," Oram said. "To be back involved with a team that means so much to me and has been a big part of my life is a real honor."Oram will work with a New Zealand attack that includes some newer faces, including exciting pace duo Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke. He is eager to share his knowledge and experience to help prepare them for the challenges of international cricket."There's a fresh new wave of talent coming through in the Blackcaps bowling ranks and I hope that I can share my knowledge and experience to help best prepare them for the challenges of international cricket," Oram said.Oram began his coaching career in 2014 with New Zealand A and then worked with New Zealand Women as bowling coach from 2018. He was named head coach of Central Hinds last summer, leading the team to the Super Smash final. Oram has also been an assistant coach in the Abu Dhabi T10 and bowling coach of MI Cape Town in the SA20."Jake's a great operator," said head coach Gary Stead. "His career as a player and his experiences as a coach speak for themselves. He brings a deep understanding of the international game, but also experience in franchise cricket which will be worthwhile in understanding the modern player and the changing landscape of the modern game."Oram will begin his role on October 7, shortly before the start of New Zealand's three-Test series in India.

Former South African pace legend Morne Morkel has been appointed as the new bowling coach of the Indian cricket team, completing the support staff for newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir. Morkel, 39, replaces Paras Mhambrey and will take over from the Bangladesh series starting on September 19. He has been appointed until the end of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa.Morkel was Gambhir's preferred choice, having worked with him at Lucknow Super Giants during the Indian's two IPL seasons as mentor of the franchise. The South African has played 86 Tests, 117 ODIs, and 44 T20Is for his country, taking a total of 544 international wickets.Morkel's appointment is seen as a significant move, given his experience and success as a fast bowler. He will be tasked with handling the transition phase as Mohammed Shami enters the latter stages of his career and Jasprit Bumrah needs more potent support, especially in red-ball cricket.Morkel's biggest challenge will be to nurture the next generation of Indian fast bowlers, including Mayank Yadav, Avesh Khan, and Yash Thakur. He is expected to work closely with VVS Laxman and Troy Cooley at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.The other members of Gambhir's support staff include assistant coach Abhishek Nayar and fielding coach Ryan Ten Doeschate. India has never had a dedicated spin bowling coach, but Sairaj Bahutule, who is part of Laxman's team at the NCA, has traveled with the senior team on occasion.