Cricket

Tim Southee's captaincy and New Zealand's winless streak against Australia were under scrutiny after a heartbreaking three-wicket loss in Christchurch. Southee admitted that his position as captain is vulnerable, especially considering the team's upcoming tour to the subcontinent.Southee's form has been a concern, with the pacer taking only four wickets in the series. He acknowledged that the team's spin-friendly conditions in Asia could lead to a change in the side's composition.Southee's captaincy decisions were also questioned, particularly his reluctance to introduce spinner Glenn Phillips earlier in the fourth day. Phillips had dismissed both Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh in the series, but Southee opted to stick with pace bowlers.The selection of Scott Kuggeleijn, who bowled only three overs in the second innings, was also criticized. However, Southee defended Kuggeleijn's inclusion, citing his valuable batting contribution.Southee refused to blame fielding errors for the loss, despite several critical drops. He also denied that the team had a mental block against Australia, but acknowledged that they had struggled in crunch moments.The loss extended New Zealand's 13-year winless streak in Tests against Australia and their 31-year drought at home against their neighbor. Southee expressed disappointment but remained optimistic about the team's future.

Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian men's cricket team, has garnered widespread praise for his exceptional leadership style. Since taking over the reins from Virat Kohli in 2022, Rohit has seamlessly guided India to the finals of both the World Test Championship and the Cricket World Cup.Former India cricketer Praveen Kumar has lauded Rohit's captaincy, describing him as "yaaro ka yaar" (friend of friends). Kumar highlighted Rohit's ability to balance discipline and camaraderie, scolding players for mistakes while also offering support and guidance."Rohit is a fantastic skipper," said Kumar. "He scolds the players when they make mistakes and hugs them too. He guides them and gives them all liberty on the field."Rohit's appointment as captain followed a decision by the BCCI to replace Kohli, who had stepped down as T20I captain. Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly, who was instrumental in the decision, cited Rohit's impressive record in the Indian Premier League as a key factor."I saw huge potential in Rohit," said Ganguly. "He has a great record in the IPL, and I believe he can lead India to success."Under Rohit's leadership, India has emerged as a formidable force in world cricket. The team's performance in the Cricket World Cup 2023, where they reached the finals, was a testament to Rohit's tactical acumen and ability to inspire his players.While Rohit continues to lead the Indian team, he has relinquished his captaincy role in the Mumbai Indians franchise. Hardik Pandya has been appointed as the new captain of the five-time Indian Premier League champions.

Hardik Pandya, the dynamic all-rounder, is set to make his much-anticipated return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the upcoming edition. After two successful seasons with Gujarat Titans, Pandya will don the captain's hat for his former franchise, Mumbai Indians, where he began his IPL journey in 2015.During a recent appearance on Star Sports' 'Star Nahi Far' show, Pandya reminisced about his time with MI. When asked about his total number of half-centuries in the tournament, he was surprised to learn that he had scored 10. However, Pandya downplayed the significance of individual statistics, stating that they are merely numbers and that he values team success over personal milestones."I don't like the innings where we lost," Pandya said when asked about his favorite half-century. "Stats are just numbers; it's a waste of time."Pandya's comments sparked a debate on social media, with former India batter Irfan Pathan questioning the BCCI's decision to exclude Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the central contract due to their non-participation in domestic cricket. Pathan argued that if players like Pandya are allowed to skip red-ball cricket, then the same rule should apply to all players."If players like Hardik don't want to play red-ball cricket, should he and others like him participate in white-ball domestic cricket when they aren't on national duty?" Pathan wrote on social media. "If this doesn't apply to all, then Indian cricket won't achieve the desired results!"Pandya's return to MI is expected to bolster the team's chances of regaining the IPL title. The all-rounder's all-around abilities, including his explosive batting, accurate bowling, and exceptional fielding, make him a valuable asset to any team.With the IPL set to commence in March, Pandya will be eager to prove his worth and lead Mumbai Indians to glory. His experience, leadership skills, and unwavering determination will be crucial for the team's success in the upcoming season.

Rishabh Pant, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, is set to make a remarkable return to competitive cricket as the captain of Delhi Capitals in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. However, he will not be donning the wicketkeeping gloves in the initial phase of the tournament, as per the franchise co-owner Parth Jindal.Jindal, in a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo, expressed confidence in Pant's fitness and readiness for the IPL, subject to the BCCI's imminent clearance. He revealed that Pant has been undergoing rigorous rehabilitation and has started wicketkeeping drills, indicating his progress towards full recovery from the horrific car accident he suffered in December 2022.To ensure Pant's smooth transition back into competitive cricket, the Capitals management has decided to utilize him solely as a batter for the first seven games of the IPL. This cautious approach aims to minimize the strain on his recovering knee and allow him to regain his rhythm gradually.The IPL will mark Pant's first competitive appearance since the Test series in Bangladesh in December 2022. His return is highly anticipated, considering his exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities. The Capitals are optimistic that Pant's presence will provide the much-needed balance and stability to the team.In addition to Pant's return, the Capitals have bolstered their squad with several exciting acquisitions, including Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell Marsh, and Harry Brook. Jindal believes these additions have transformed the team into a well-rounded unit capable of challenging for the title.The franchise is also counting on the experience of David Warner and the explosive batting of Brook, who is expected to play a pivotal role in the lower middle order. Jindal expressed his confidence in Brook's ability to make a significant impact at number six.Furthermore, the Capitals have invested in a group of talented uncapped Indian players, scouted and recommended by team director Sourav Ganguly. These players, including Kumar Kushagra, Sumit Kumar, and Ricky Bhui, are expected to contribute to the team's success.With a strong blend of experience and youthful exuberance, the Delhi Capitals are poised for a successful campaign in IPL 2024. Pant's leadership, coupled with the team's overall strength, makes them a formidable contender for the coveted trophy.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to witness a new era as Hardik Pandya takes over the captaincy of the Mumbai Indians, succeeding the legendary Rohit Sharma. This decision has sparked discussions among cricket enthusiasts, with many wondering how Pandya will fare in his new role.Former Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel believes that Pandya will face immense pressure while leading the Mumbai Indians. He acknowledges that Pandya's captaincy stint with the Gujarat Titans was successful, leading them to the championship in their inaugural season. However, Patel emphasizes that replacing a five-time title-winning captain like Rohit Sharma, who has been at the helm of Mumbai Indians for 10 years, will be a challenging task.Patel highlights that Mumbai Indians fans have high expectations from their team, and qualifying for the playoffs is not considered a success; winning championships is the ultimate goal. He believes that the decision to appoint Pandya as captain is well-thought-out, considering the franchise's transitional phase.Former India player Wasim Jaffer shares similar sentiments, stating that Hardik Pandya's return to Mumbai Indians as captain will evoke mixed emotions among the fans. He anticipates a full house at the stadium for the opening match against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on March 24. Jaffer believes that Pandya will aim to make a strong statement in his first game as captain and set an example for the team.The decision to remove Rohit Sharma from the captaincy may have been met with mixed reactions, but it was made with the intention of ushering in a new era for Mumbai Indians. The franchise is looking to transition smoothly and build a team that can continue their legacy of success.