Cricket

Tamil Nadu's rising star, Shahrukh Khan, has been entrusted with the captaincy of the state's Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament team. The 29-year-old, who has led Lyca Kovai Kings to success in the Tamil Nadu Premier League, expressed his honor and excitement at the opportunity."It's my first time as a captain for Tamil Nadu. I have led in TNPL for several years, but now (I am leading) Tamil Nadu, it is a new thing for me. Obviously, captaining a State team is a privilege," Shahrukh told The Hindu after Tamil Nadu's innings win over Railways in a Ranji Trophy match.Shahrukh emphasized that he is taking the challenge one step at a time, as the domestic red-ball season transitions to white-ball fixtures until late January. He acknowledged that he has not yet given much thought to specific strategies, preferring to focus on the present moment."I haven't thought about anything because the tournament starts in a week's time (November 23). So, I'll start thinking soon about what to do. I don't give anything too much thought. I just think at the right place and at the right time... that is more important," Shahrukh added.Shahrukh's appointment as captain is a testament to his leadership abilities and his impressive performances in domestic cricket. As the tournament approaches, he will be eager to guide Tamil Nadu to success and further enhance his reputation as one of the most promising young players in the country.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable comeback from a horrific car crash has once again cemented his status as one of India's most indispensable cricketers. After missing over a year of action, Pant returned to competitive cricket with the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2024, followed by a triumphant T20 World Cup victory with the national team.However, Pant's exclusion from the captaincy of India B in the Duleep Trophy raised questions about his leadership credentials. Despite his impressive performances in the subsequent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, the decision to overlook him as captain left many cricket experts perplexed.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has questioned the rationale behind this move, highlighting Pant's exceptional performances since his return. "When the Duleep Trophy teams were picked, Rishabh Pant was selected, but Abhimanyu Easwaran was the captain of that team. Pant featured as a player but not a captain in that tournament. We were left wondering if he is no longer a captaincy candidate," said Chopra.Chopra further praised Pant's resilience and dominance in Test cricket, emphasizing his ability to play with confidence and hit sixes while also possessing a solid defensive game. "He is the only one who can play with dominance, playing with so much confidence, he can hit sixes and has the defensive game," said Chopra.Pant's performances have led to renewed calls for him to be considered as a captaincy candidate. His ability to lead from the front and inspire his teammates has been evident in his recent performances. Whether or not he is given the captaincy in the future remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that Pant has once again proven his immense value to the Indian cricket team.

David Warner, the enigmatic Australian opener, has been reinstated as captain of the Sydney Thunder for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. This momentous decision comes after Cricket Australia's Code of Conduct Commission overturned his leadership ban, which stemmed from the infamous Newlands ball-tampering scandal in 2018.Warner's return to the captaincy marks a significant milestone in his career and a testament to his unwavering determination. The 36-year-old expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "Captaining the Thunder again this season means a lot to me. I was part of the team from the start, and now to be back with that 'C' next to my name feels fantastic."Warner's appointment as captain is not merely a symbolic gesture but a strategic move by the Thunder. His vast experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable to a team that finished bottom of the table last season. Warner is eager to share his knowledge with the younger players, fostering their growth and preparing them for future leadership roles.Trent Copeland, the Thunder general manager, hailed Warner's return as a pivotal moment for the club. "This is a huge moment for David and for our club," he said. "It's not only about his career; it's about the legacy he's creating, especially for his family and the next generation of players."Warner's leadership ban was lifted after a thorough review process that considered his sincere remorse and acknowledgment of his past conduct. The review panel noted his "respectful and contrite tone" and his genuine desire to make amends.Since his CA ban, Warner has captained teams in various T20 leagues around the world, including the BPL, IPL, and ILT20. His last stint as captain of an Australian team was in 2018 when he led the T20I side against New Zealand.The Thunder will kick off their BBL campaign against the Adelaide Strikers in Canberra on December 17. They will then face their arch-rivals, the Sydney Sixers, in the first derby clash at the Showground on December 21. With Warner at the helm, the Thunder will be hoping to make a strong statement and challenge for the BBL title.

Tom Latham's astute captaincy played a pivotal role in New Zealand's historic Test series triumph in India, breaking the hosts' formidable home streak of 18 consecutive series victories. Latham's leadership style, characterized by simplicity and unwavering trust in his bowlers, proved to be a winning formula.After Tim Southee relinquished the captaincy following New Zealand's disappointing losses in Sri Lanka, Latham stepped into the role. He immediately implemented a straightforward approach, avoiding excessive tinkering with the bowling lineup. In the second Test, he placed his faith in left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, while in the third Test, he entrusted Ajaz Patel with the spin duties.Latham's unwavering belief in his bowlers paid dividends. Unlike Southee, who often sought to rotate bowlers frequently, Latham allowed his bowlers to settle into their rhythm and bowl extended spells. This strategy allowed the bowlers to develop a better understanding of the conditions and the opposition batters."He let bowlers just bowl. He let them stay, and he didn't try and introduce or change things just for the sake of change," said former New Zealand batter-turned-coach Craig Cumming. "The simplicity of doing that allowed them to be more successful."Latham's leadership also extended beyond bowling tactics. He fostered a positive and supportive environment within the team, which contributed to their success. The players felt empowered and confident under his guidance.New Zealand's series win in India not only marked a historic achievement but also propelled them into contention for the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June 2025. Latham's captaincy has been instrumental in their resurgence and has established him as a respected and successful leader in the world of cricket.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic batter, has been the heart and soul of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. His unwavering loyalty and exceptional performances have made him an icon for the franchise and a fan favorite.Kohli's journey with RCB has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both triumphs and heartbreaks. He took over the captaincy in 2013 and led the team to four playoff appearances, including the final in 2016. However, the elusive IPL title has remained out of reach.Despite the lack of silverware, Kohli's contributions to RCB have been immense. He is the franchise's highest run-scorer and the all-time leading run-getter in IPL history, with over 8000 runs to his name. His ability to chase down targets, build innings, and score consistently has been crucial for RCB's success.Kohli's partnerships with AB de Villiers have produced some of the most memorable moments in IPL history. Their aggressive, fearless approach has set the tone for RCB's brand of cricket. Even after stepping down from the captaincy, Kohli remains a leader within the team, guiding young players and motivating teammates.In 2025, Kohli is set to return as RCB captain. The biggest question on everyone's mind is whether he can finally lead the franchise to their maiden IPL title. With his experience, leadership skills, and unwavering determination, Kohli is determined to make it happen.Kohli's legacy with RCB is undeniable. He has been the face of the franchise for over a decade, embodying their spirit and commitment. His loyalty and contributions have made him a symbol of RCB's identity. As he embarks on his second stint as captain, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see if he can achieve the one goal that has eluded him so far: an IPL title with RCB.

Virat Kohli's Return as RCB Captain: A Critical AnalysisAs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepares for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, the question of who will lead the franchise has become a topic of intense speculation. While Virat Kohli's name has been prominently mentioned, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has raised concerns about the wisdom of such a move.Manjrekar argues that fans should set aside their admiration for Kohli and objectively assess his recent performances. He points out that Kohli's T20 batting has declined in recent years, and his captaincy record with RCB has been mixed."Just because he is Virat Kohli, 95% of fans want him to be the captain," said Manjrekar. "But if you just go by his performances, it is not that impressive."Manjrekar suggests that RCB fans consider the possibility of a different captain, someone who may be better suited to the demands of T20 cricket. He emphasizes that Kohli's past achievements should not overshadow the need for a critical evaluation."I just have one question from the fans," Manjrekar added. "If instead of Virat Kohli, there was someone else, you just remove Virat Kohli from your mind, and just look at his performance in the IPL, his batting and captaincy performance. Then you think whether it is the right decision to make him the captain."Kohli led RCB from 2013 to 2021, guiding the team to one IPL final in 2016. However, his batting form suffered a significant dip between 2020 and 2022. In the last two seasons, he has regained some of his old form, scoring over 600 runs and winning the Orange Cap in 2024.Despite his recent resurgence, Manjrekar believes that Kohli's overall T20 record does not warrant an automatic return to the captaincy. He suggests that RCB should explore other options, including younger players who may be better equipped to handle the challenges of modern T20 cricket.

Rishabh Pant's tenure with the Delhi Capitals (DC) has come to an end, as the franchise has opted not to retain him ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This decision marks a significant shift for both Pant and DC, who have been closely associated since 2016.Sources close to the development have revealed that Pant's desire for captaincy and involvement in team management played a role in the franchise's decision. While DC was open to retaining Pant, they were not convinced about his leadership abilities in the T20 format."Rishabh Pant wanted captaincy and wanted to be involved with regards to the appointment of coaches and support staff, but plenty in the DC set-up are not convinced about his T20 game," said a source.With Pant's departure, DC faces the challenge of finding a new captain. Axar Patel, who has been retained by the franchise, is a potential candidate. However, sources suggest that DC may explore options at the mega-auction, with Shreyas Iyer being a strong possibility."Axar Patel is there as an option, but there is a strong possibility of DC exploring options at the mega auction. Shreyas Iyer will definitely be on their radar as he enjoyed a lot of success in the DC set-up and understands the set-up well," added the source.DC has retained four players for the upcoming season: Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Tristian Stubbs, and Abhishek Porel. They have also kept the option of Right To Match (RTM) card open for the mega auction.Pant's departure from DC marks the end of an era for the franchise. He joined the team as a young player in 2016 and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming their captain in 2021. His aggressive batting and fearless leadership style made him a fan favorite.However, Pant's recent form in the T20 format has been inconsistent, and his captaincy has come under scrutiny. DC's decision to part ways with him is a reflection of their desire to rebuild and find a new leader who can guide them to success in the years to come.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian cricket captain, is set to make a grand return as the skipper of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 2025 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). This decision comes after extensive discussions between Kohli and the RCB management, who believe that his leadership is crucial at a time when the team is facing a leadership vacuum.Faf du Plessis, who led RCB in the previous cycle (2022-24), is now 40 years old, and the franchise has decided to hand over the reins to Kohli, who is still considered one of the best batsmen in the world. Kohli led RCB from 2013 to 2021, guiding the team to the playoffs on four occasions. They came agonizingly close to winning the title in 2016, losing to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final.Kohli stepped down from RCB captaincy in 2021, but he has remained an integral part of the team. He has consistently been involved in the decision-making process and has provided valuable guidance to the younger players. RCB has never won an IPL trophy, and they hope that Kohli's return as captain will bring them the elusive title.The franchise has already begun preparations for the upcoming mega auction, which is less than a month away. They have identified Kohli as the leader and will now focus on filling the remaining gaps in the squad. Kohli has expressed his commitment to RCB, stating that he will play his last IPL game for the franchise.Even without the official captaincy, Kohli has been the de facto leader of RCB in recent years. He has always been fully engaged in the game, providing support and guidance to his teammates. RCB considered other captaincy options, including Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, but ultimately decided that Kohli was the best choice to lead the team forward.Kohli's return as RCB captain is a significant development for the franchise. He is a proven leader with a wealth of experience. His passion and commitment to the team are undeniable. With Kohli at the helm, RCB will be hoping to finally break their IPL title drought in 2025.

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), reigning champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), face a challenging situation ahead of the upcoming season. The departure of Gautam Gambhir, Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan ten Doeschate to the Indian cricket team has left significant voids in the KKR dugout.While Dwayne Bravo has been appointed as mentor, the team still needs to fill the assistant coach and academy head positions. Additionally, the captaincy role remains uncertain.Shreyas Iyer, acquired by KKR for Rs 12.25 crore at the 2022 auction, is a potential candidate for the captaincy. However, the franchise is reportedly willing to retain him but not as their top retention.Andre Russell is the frontrunner for retention with a hefty price tag. The all-rounder was previously retained for Rs 12 crore and is likely to receive a substantial raise.If Iyer is not satisfied with his role in KKR, he could explore other options. Several teams, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings, and Delhi Capitals, are in need of a captain, particularly an Indian one.Punjab Kings, with Ricky Ponting as head coach, may be interested in Iyer due to his successful partnership with Ponting at Delhi Capitals. Delhi Capitals could also consider Iyer, as Rishabh Pant has requested to step down as skipper.Last year, a section of the KKR camp favored Nitish Rana as captain in Iyer's absence. However, the franchise announced Iyer as captain before the tournament, raising eyebrows.KKR, co-owned by Shah Rukh Khan, advocates for a smaller auction and more Right to Match (RTM) options. They are likely to utilize this strategy at the upcoming auction.Other potential retention options for KKR include Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana, Mitchell Starc, and Varun Chakravarthy. The team's captaincy decision will be closely monitored by other franchises.