Cricket

Rohit Sharma's leadership style has been lauded by his teammates, particularly for its balance of freedom and accountability. As India's captain, Rohit empowers his players to play their natural game while setting clear expectations. He provides constructive feedback when necessary, and his subtle yet telling reactions effectively communicate his message without words.Mohammed Shami, India's star pacer, highlighted this during an award function. He praised Rohit for giving his players the freedom to perform with confidence and without undue pressure. However, Shami also noted that Rohit's reactions can be telling when a player falls short of expectations."The best thing about Rohit is that he gives you freedom," Shami said. "But if you don't meet his expectations, his reactions start to show a bit. He'll tell you that you should have done this or needed to do that.""But if you still don't live up to it, then the reactions we see on the screen, the ones we understand without him saying anything, start to come out," Shami added.Under Rohit's leadership, India secured a memorable victory in the T20 World Cup, breaking the long drought since MS Dhoni's 2007 triumph. India clinched the coveted trophy by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final in Barbados.Rohit's approach to captaincy has been praised by experts and fans alike. He has been credited with creating a positive and supportive environment within the team, which has contributed to India's recent success.

Dhruv Jurel, the young wicketkeeper-batter who made his India debut under Rohit Sharma's leadership, has praised the Indian skipper's approachable and relaxed demeanor. In an interview with Sports Tak, Jurel described Rohit as a "very chill" captain who makes it easy for junior players to feel comfortable in the team."To be honest, he is very chill. When you talk to him, it doesn't feel like he is a senior and you are a junior. He always talks very casually," Jurel said.The 23-year-old, who has represented India in three Tests and two T20Is so far, also revealed that Rohit goes out of his way to ensure that young players feel comfortable in the team."He always said, 'If you need any help just come over, I don't have any problem.' He makes you feel comfortable. When my name came up for Test cricket, Rohit bhaiya was the captain, so I spoke to him. It felt very good. Like everything is normal," Jurel added.Jurel's comments provide a glimpse into the team environment under Rohit Sharma's leadership, where the captain's down-to-earth nature and open communication style seem to be fostering a supportive atmosphere for young talents like him.Rohit Sharma, who took over the captaincy of the Indian team in all formats in 2021, has been praised for his leadership skills and ability to connect with players. Under his leadership, India has won several major tournaments, including the Asia Cup in 2022 and the inaugural ICC World Test Championship in 2021.Jurel's praise for Rohit Sharma is a testament to the Indian skipper's ability to create a positive and supportive environment for his players. This is essential for the development of young players and the overall success of the team.

Ravi Shastri, the former Indian cricketer and head coach, has hailed Rohit Sharma as one of the greatest Indian captains in history, predicting that his legacy will be cemented after the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph.Since taking over the captaincy in 2021, Sharma has transformed India's fortunes, leading them to the semi-finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup, the finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and the World Test Championship. His aggressive playing style and strategic prowess have earned him widespread acclaim.Shastri believes that Sharma's tactical acumen is on par with MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian captain. "As a tactician, he's been an outstanding guy. He'll go down as one of the best captains ever alongside Dhoni," Shastri said.Sharma's exceptional leadership extends to the Indian Premier League, where he has guided the Mumbai Indians to five titles since 2013. His ability to handle pressure and make crucial decisions was evident in India's comeback victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa."Rohit is not far behind and I thought tactically he was just outstanding in this year's (T20) World Cup. Just the calmness, the ability to get a (Jasprit) Bumrah or a (Hardik) Pandya, or even an Axar Patel at just the right time when needed was great to see," Shastri added.Sharma's batting prowess has also flourished under his captaincy, making him a formidable all-rounder. His partnership with head coach Rahul Dravid has been instrumental in India's resurgence, creating a cohesive and successful team environment.As India gears up for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Shastri believes that Sharma's leadership will be crucial in securing the coveted trophy. "If India wins the World Cup, Rohit will be considered one of the greatest Indian captains ever," Shastri concluded.

Hardik Pandya's captaincy prospects appear uncertain as former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris believes the added responsibilities could hinder his performance and fitness. Styris supports the Indian team management's decision to refrain from appointing Pandya as captain, citing concerns about his injury history and the physical demands of bowling.Styris emphasizes that Pandya's all-rounder abilities make him India's best in that role. However, he believes that the pressures of captaincy could compromise his fitness and consistency. "I wouldn't have personally made Hardik Pandya my captain either," Styris told News18. "I think that's a smart choice solely for one reason, and that is as an all-rounder. Skills-wise, he is India's best all-rounder. He is phenomenal. But you want him to be consistently fit."Pandya's recurrent injuries and the physical toll of bowling are key factors in Styris' assessment. "At the moment, how he's in and out with his injuries, you know, bowling is really hard. It takes a lot out of you and your body. So sometimes, adding all the responsibility of captaincy is not necessarily a good thing because there's just too much to do," Styris explained.Styris also highlights Pandya's crucial role as a bowler, especially given the fitness concerns surrounding key pacers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. Pandya's presence as a sixth bowler can be invaluable for the team. "These fast bowling stocks are the one area where India probably needs a little bit more help, which is why I like the selection of these youngsters. Anytime Bumrah is not here, your team is going to be weaker. He's as good as anyone who's ever played the game, especially the white ball. So the decision to give him a rest, you totally understand. You've got to make sure that he's fresh and ready for some of the other challenges that India have in front of them," Styris added."You want more out of Hardik Pandya. That's why I like the decision not to make him captain because I really want to see him stand up with a dominant role with the ball more than anything," he concluded.The consensus among experts like Styris is that Hardik Pandya should focus on his all-rounder capabilities and maintaining fitness. This would allow him to contribute effectively without the added burden of captaincy.

Hardik Pandya Snubbed as Suryakumar Yadav Takes Over as India's T20I CaptainIn a surprising turn of events, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been overlooked for the captaincy role in India's upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. Instead, the selectors have opted for Suryakumar Yadav, who will lead the team for the first time in his career.Pandya's exclusion from the captaincy has raised eyebrows, given his impressive performances and leadership qualities in recent times. He has captained India in the absence of Rohit Sharma and was also named vice-captain for the T20 World Cup, which India won under his leadership.However, India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has clarified that fitness and availability were the primary reasons for choosing Suryakumar over Pandya. Pandya has a history of injury concerns, which may have influenced the selectors' decision.The move has sparked a debate within the cricketing fraternity. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has criticized the selectors, claiming that fitness is merely an excuse for not appointing Pandya as captain. He believes that other players with fitness issues have still gone on to become successful captains.Meanwhile, Suryakumar has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead India. He has previously captained the team in T20I series against Australia and South Africa, where he impressed with his tactical acumen and leadership skills.The first T20I of the three-match series against Sri Lanka will be played on July 27 in Pallekele. India's squad includes a mix of experienced players and exciting young talents, with Suryakumar leading the charge as captain.

Team India is gearing up to face Sri Lanka in a white-ball series, commencing with three T20I matches from Saturday. The absence of former skipper Rohit Sharma from the shortest format has sparked discussions about his replacement. While all-rounder Hardik Pandya seemed like a potential candidate, the newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar have surprisingly named batter Suryakumar Yadav as the captain for the T20Is against Sri Lanka.The decision has raised questions about star pacer Jasprit Bumrah's exclusion from the captaincy race. Bumrah, who played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, has expressed his views on the matter."I cannot approach the team and demand to be made captain. It's beyond my authority. I believe bowlers are the intelligent ones because we have to dismiss batters. We constantly face challenges due to shorter grounds and superior bats. I can't recall any technology or innovation that significantly enhances ball swing. People enjoy watching the ball being hit around and sixes being scored," Bumrah stated at the Indian Express Adda."Bowlers are doing the difficult work. They're not hiding behind a bat or a flat wicket. When a game is lost, bowlers are blamed. It's a demanding task. I take great pride in it. You face numerous obstacles. Bowlers develop innovative strategies to succeed because of these challenges. Facing adversity makes you more courageous, and leadership requires courage. We've seen Pat Cummins excel. I've witnessed Wasim Akram lead. Kapil Dev and Imran Khan have won World Cups. Bowlers are the intelligent ones. Sometimes, it's physically demanding, which is why batters often assume leadership roles. In my opinion, bowlers are the smart ones," he added.Traditionally, bowlers have not been considered for team captaincy. However, Bumrah cited the example of Australia's skipper Pat Cummins, who led his team to ODI World Cup and World Test Championship titles."Perception shifts with results. I faced the perception that my bowling action wouldn't work, but now people try to imitate it. You don't need to say anything; let your results speak for themselves. Pat Cummins is a prime example. I've achieved many positive outcomes. He won the World Cup and WTC. I don't believe it's a burden. When you play cricket, you want responsibility," said Bumrah."You don't want to hide and be a backbencher. You must have the mindset that if you give me the ball, I will make a difference. I believe there is no greater feeling than having responsibility. Injuries can happen to anyone," he added.

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has expressed his belief that Hardik Pandya should not be disheartened by his exclusion from leadership roles in Team India. Uthappa believes that the decision was made with Pandya's long-term interests in mind."If I was in Hardik's place, I would feel taken care of to a certain extent," Uthappa said in an interview with NDTV. "If I am 34 or 35 years old, and I am someone who has been injury-prone throughout my career, and a certain responsibility has been taken away from me with the mindset of extending my career, it has given me the best chance of offering my service to my country, for as long as possible."Uthappa emphasized that the absence of captaincy responsibilities could prolong Pandya's international career. "Knowing Hardik Pandya on a certain level personally, I would say he'll be someone saying 'fine, their perspective is also right'. They want a player of my quality and caliber to serve the country for as long as possible, I would love to do that as well," Uthappa added."If you ask me between the two what would I pick, I would say representing my country and winning as many world cup championships, irrespective of the fact whether I am the captain or just a player," Uthappa continued.Pandya's exclusion from leadership roles was attributed to his fitness and availability concerns, according to chief selector Ajit Agarkar. However, Uthappa believes that the decision was ultimately made to protect Pandya's long-term health and performance."I think it's a great decision for Hardik Pandya," Uthappa said. "It's a great decision for Indian cricket. It's a great decision for the future of Indian cricket. I think it's a great decision for Hardik Pandya's career."Pandya is currently part of India's squad for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Shubman Gill, the prodigious Indian batter, has emerged as a formidable force in world cricket. Since his international debut in 2019, he has established himself as a cornerstone of India's batting lineup. Beyond his exceptional batting prowess, Gill has also showcased remarkable leadership qualities and an ability to thrive under pressure.As the captain of the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Gill led his team to victory in the 2022 season. His astute decision-making and calm demeanor on the field earned him widespread praise. Moreover, he recently captained a young Indian team to a 4-1 triumph in the T20I series against Zimbabwe.Gill's leadership potential has not gone unnoticed. He has been appointed as the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, where India will play three T20Is and three ODIs. Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour believes that Gill has the potential to lead India across all formats in the future."He has shown terrific body language, which is a must if you are leading a side," Rathour said. "Now with the vice-captaincy, the BCCI has given him extra responsibility and I am sure he will thrive in this role."Rathour believes that captaincy can bring out the best in players, as it did for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He expects Gill to flourish in this leadership role and eventually lead India in all three formats.Gill's appointment as vice-captain is a testament to his growing stature within the Indian cricket team. His ability to handle pressure, make sound decisions, and inspire his teammates makes him a prime candidate for future leadership. As he continues to develop his skills and experience, Gill is poised to become one of the most influential players in Indian cricket.

Vikram Rathour, India's former batting coach, has identified Shubman Gill as a future leader for the Indian cricket team across all formats. Rathour's endorsement stems from Gill's impressive recent performances and leadership qualities, which have positioned him as a potential captain.Rathour first noticed Gill's potential during net sessions, where he was immediately struck by the youngster's talent. Speaking to The Indian Express, he recalled his initial impression: "When I first saw him in the nets, my first impression was like everybody else’s. I saw exactly what a lot of people were talking about and spoke about his special talent. When I first saw him playing, the immediate thought that went into my mind was ‘wow, this kid is extremely talented’. He knew his game, he understood how he needs to bat in different situations and never shied away from challenges."At 24, Gill has established himself as a remarkable player across formats, especially noted for an outstanding run in ODIs in 2023. In 29 matches, he amassed 1584 runs, maintaining an average of 63.36.Rathour believes that taking on captaincy will enhance Gill's performance, similar to how it benefited Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He expressed confidence that leadership responsibilities could bring out the best in Gill: "I feel captaincy brought the best out of Virat and Rohit and I feel it will do the same for Shubman. Although he is not yet the captain, being in the leadership group will bring the best out of him as well. This, I am very sure of. When you are in that role, leading others, it gives you that extra bit of responsibility, which is good and I think is great for a young kid like Shubman, who one day might lead India in all three formats."Gill recently led India to a 4-1 T20I series victory against Zimbabwe, providing him with valuable captaincy experience. His leadership potential has also been recognized with his appointment as vice-captain for both T20Is and ODIs.As Shubman Gill continues to evolve as a cricketer, Rathour's confidence in his leadership abilities suggests that Gill could become a key figure in India's cricketing future, potentially leading the team across all formats.