Cricket

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian men's cricket team head coach, has often been portrayed as an enigmatic figure. During his playing career, Gambhir's fiery demeanor and unwavering passion were evident on the field. He played a pivotal role in some of India's most memorable victories, particularly in ICC events.Gambhir's contributions to India's triumph in the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 ODI World Cup were instrumental. He emerged as one of India's most reliable match-winners, but his path to the top was not without challenges.Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra, who also opened the batting during his playing days, shed light on the intense competition within the Indian team at the time. To accommodate talented batters, drastic changes were made, even demoting Virender Sehwag to the No. 4 spot."We were competitors because we were fighting for one place. Our team was very good. When we were playing, only one of Kohli and Dhawan got the chance to play. The team was like that. In fact, there was no place for even Viru to open the batting. Viru batted four so that we can accommodate one of Shikhar and Virat at 3," Chopra recalled in a podcast with Raj Shamani on YouTube.Chopra acknowledged that he and Gambhir were not close friends due to the intense competition for opening spots. However, he recognized Gambhir's unwavering passion and dedication."We were competitors to begin with. He wasn't a friend, to be honest. (But he was a) very passionate guy, very hard working, and very serious about his craft. And he scored a lot of runs. But he always wore his heart on the sleeve, was extremely passionate, and could short-fuse very quickly in terms of temperament," Chopra further revealed.Despite his fiery nature, Chopra emphasized Gambhir's kind-heartedness and humble upbringing. "He's a good hearted guy, comes from a very affluent family. For that kid to have that kind of passion... he would be at the ground the whole day. He was born with a golden spoon, not even silver. It's a different journey, basically like Abhinav Bindra. Gautam has the heart at the right place," Chopra asserted.

Ishan Kishan, the dynamic Indian wicketkeeper-batter, is determined to reclaim his place in the national team after a challenging six-month period. Having lost his spot in all three formats and his central contract, Kishan is eager to prove his worth once again.In an interview with the Indian Express, Kishan expressed his admiration for Rishabh Pant's recent return to the Indian side. He acknowledged the intense competition within the team, particularly with the impressive performances of Pant and Sanju Samson. However, Kishan remains unfazed and welcomes the challenge."It was heartening to see Rishabh back in action," said Kishan. "As far as competition goes, you love challenges. When you compete with quality cricketers, it enhances your game. I know it's not going to be easy, but competition gives you that feeling of satisfaction."Kishan's ambitions extend beyond the T20 format. He envisions himself as a key player in all three formats, as he was before his hiatus. "I see myself playing in all three formats," he stated. "I want to be part of all three formats."To achieve his goals, Kishan is focused on improving his fitness and preparing for upcoming tournaments. He is determined to stay in the present and not dwell on past setbacks or future uncertainties."I am not thinking too much about the future," said Kishan. "I want to stay in the present. I am only focused on how to become a better and different player from what I was six months ago. I will work on a few innovative shots and on my wicket-keeping."Kishan is eagerly awaiting the start of the domestic season, where he hopes to showcase his skills for Jharkhand. He believes that strong performances at the domestic level will pave the way for his return to the national team.

With the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 approaching, Indian batter Shubman Gill has expressed his aspirations and concerns regarding his potential selection for the prestigious tournament.Gill, a rising star in the Indian cricket team, has not yet made a significant impact in the T20 format. His performance for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been underwhelming, with only 304 runs scored in 9 matches at an average of 38 and a strike rate of 146.15.Despite his recent struggles, Gill remains hopeful about his chances of making the 15-man T20 World Cup squad. "If I am able to make it to this year's T20 World Cup, it would be nothing short of a dream coming true," he said in an interview with Hindustan Times.However, Gill acknowledges that missing out on selection would be a disappointment. "After scoring almost 900 runs (in IPL) last season, I would obviously be disappointed as a player," he admitted.Gill faces stiff competition for the opening spot in India's T20I team. Rohit Sharma, the team's captain, is a guaranteed starter, while Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal are also vying for the role.Kohli is currently the top-scoring batter in IPL 2024, while Jaiswal has impressed as an opener for India across formats, including T20Is. Jaiswal's left-handedness provides balance at the top, and his strike rate has been superior to Gill's in the shortest format.Gill remains optimistic about his chances, but he understands the challenges he faces. "I will keep working hard and try to improve my game. If I am not selected, I will still be cheering for the players and wish them the best," he said.The T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the United States from June 14 to July 14. India will be aiming to win their second T20 World Cup title, having previously triumphed in 2007.