Cricket

Sachin Tendulkar: A Unique Ambidextrous Skill in CricketSachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, is renowned for his exceptional batting prowess. While primarily a right-handed batsman, Tendulkar possesses a unique ambidextrous skill that sets him apart from most players.Although not ambidextrous in the traditional sense of using both hands equally well for all tasks, Tendulkar exhibits a remarkable ability to bat left-handed for recreational purposes. This skill has often given the impression of ambidexterity, adding to his legendary status.Beyond batting, Tendulkar also utilized his left hand effectively in bowling. During practice sessions, he occasionally bowled left-arm orthodox spin, demonstrating his versatility. However, his professional bowling was primarily right-handed, either as a medium-pacer or right-arm leg-spinner.Tendulkar's ambidextrous skill extends to everyday tasks. He has stated that while his right hand handles wooden sticks, his left hand performs all writing and eating activities.On International Left-Handers Day, Tendulkar celebrated his unique ability by posting a video on social media. In the video, he showcased his left-handed batting skills, playing delightful shots with precision and timing. He also bowled left-handed, creating a surreal illusion of playing against himself.Throughout his illustrious career, Tendulkar had the privilege of playing alongside some of the greatest left-handed batters and bowlers in cricket history. These included Vinod Kambli, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Kumar Sangakkara, Brian Lara, Michael Hussey, Sanath Jayasuriya, Chris Gayle, Adam Gilchrist, Chaminda Vaas, Wasim Akram, Daniel Vettori, and Mitchell Johnson.Tendulkar's ambidextrous skill, combined with his exceptional batting abilities, has cemented his place as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. His unique talent continues to inspire and amaze fans worldwide.

Catches Win Matches: Mitchell Santner's Stunning Grab for Northern SuperchargersThe adage "catches win matches" has been proven true countless times in the annals of cricket history. A spectacular catch can turn the tide of a game, and such was the case in the recent match between Northern Superchargers and London Spirit in The Hundred at Headingley, Leeds.London Spirit, batting first, saw their innings opened by Michael Pepper and Keaton Jennings. In the 11th over, Pepper attempted to loft a delivery from Reece Topley over mid-on. Mitchell Santner, fielding at that position, gave chase.With his eyes fixed on the swirling ball, Santner charged back from mid-on and executed a breathtaking catch with a dive at deep mid-on. Pepper was dismissed for 3, leaving London Spirit reeling at 111/8 after their 100 balls.Santner's catch was a testament to his exceptional fielding skills and quick reflexes. It not only removed a dangerous batsman but also boosted the morale of the Northern Superchargers team.The catch was widely praised on social media, with many fans hailing it as one of the best catches of the tournament. The official Twitter handle of The Hundred shared a video of the catch, which quickly went viral.Northern Superchargers went on to win the match by 21 runs (DLS Method), thanks in no small part to Santner's stunning catch. It was a reminder that even in the fast-paced world of modern cricket, the art of fielding remains paramount.

The Hundred, a fast-paced cricket tournament, has witnessed a significant decline in scoring this season, with the average first-innings total dropping from 155 last year to 133 this year. Trent Rockets captain Lewis Gregory believes that the culprit lies in the condition of the pitches.Gregory attributes the low scores to "tired" pitches, which have been affected by the heavy rainfall experienced in the UK this summer. He notes that the Hundred's balls, which have extra lacquer for branding purposes, tend to swing more than the standard white Kookaburras used in other competitions. This combination, coupled with the deteriorating pitches, has made it challenging for batters to score freely.The Rockets' recent loss to Birmingham Phoenix, where they were bowled out for 118, exemplified the difficulties faced by batters. Gregory highlighted the substantial new-ball movement, which has been a common theme in the Hundred this year."You're seeing the ball get off straight a lot, which obviously makes it difficult to whack out of the park when the ball is moving around," Gregory said. "There's a lot of cricket throughout the English summer and [we are] coming towards the back end. There are a few tired wickets that bring spinners into the game, and then there's a few wickets that have done a lot for the seamers."Gregory's observations are supported by the fact that the average first-innings score in the women's Hundred has remained relatively unchanged from last year. Some pundits suggest that the women's game has benefited from groundstaff leaving more grass on pitches, providing a more balanced surface.In a bid to overcome the challenges posed by the pitches, the Rockets employed a tactical move during their loss to Phoenix. They retired Imad Wasim out with 14 balls remaining, sending in Chris Green to target a short leg-side boundary. Gregory explained that the decision was made to introduce a right-handed batter to exploit the shorter side.Gregory believes that retiring batters out tactically will become more common in the Hundred's shorter format. "We've spoken about it throughout the competition and everyone's been happy, if there's a case to retire someone, everyone's comfortable with that," he said. "The shorter the format, you will see it a bit more… there's not much time, and if you think someone's not quite got the surface or the opposite down, it is giving someone else an opportunity to be able to do that."

Former India head coach Rahul Dravid has heaped praise on skipper Rohit Sharma, describing him as a "fantastic leader" and a privilege to work with. Dravid's comments come after Rohit's successful tenure as India's T20I captain, during which he led the team to the ICC T20 World Cup title in 2022.Rohit's impressive record in white-ball cricket speaks volumes about his prowess as a batsman. With 14,846 runs, three double hundreds, 33 hundreds, and 87 fifties in ODIs and T20Is combined, he is one of the most prolific run-getters in limited-overs cricket.Beyond his batting prowess, Rohit has also proven to be an astute captain. He overtook MS Dhoni as the most successful T20I captain with 49 wins in 62 matches, leading India to the ICC T20 World Cup title after a thrilling win over South Africa in the final.Dravid believes that Rohit's leadership qualities have been instrumental in his success. "People really gravitated towards him, the team," Dravid said. "I think that makes a big difference."Dravid also praised the humility and work ethic of India's superstar players, including Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravichandran Ashwin. "A lot of these superstars are actually very humble about their preparation," Dravid said. "They are humble about their work ethic. And that is why they are superstars."Dravid's tenure as India head coach was marked by success, including the ICC T20 World Cup trophy and a runners-up finish in the 50-over World Cup. He also guided India to the final of the ICC World Test Championship.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the enigmatic Indian cricketer, has emerged as a multi-faceted personality beyond the realm of the sport. From his engineering background to his literary pursuits, Ashwin's life is a testament to his versatility and fearlessness.As an engineer, Ashwin's analytical mind has translated into his cricketing prowess. He approaches the game with a system optimizer's mindset, constantly seeking ways to improve his performance and exploit the weaknesses of his opponents. This ability to process multiple computations simultaneously, known as parallel processing, has given him an edge on the field.Ashwin's journey from bowling carrom balls on Chennai's streets to becoming India's premier spinner has been marked by resilience and a refusal to play safe. He has faced criticism head-on, using it as fuel to drive his success. His 516 Test wickets stand as a testament to his unwavering determination.Beyond cricket, Ashwin has carved a niche for himself as an author. His book, "I Have The Streets: A Kutti Cricket Story," chronicles his life up to 2011 and offers a glimpse into his mind. It explores the complexities of his childhood insecurities and how he overcame them to become the confident and outspoken voice he is today.Ashwin's fearlessness extends beyond the cricket field. He believes in taking risks and embracing failure as a necessary part of growth. This philosophy has led him to venture into new territories, including a successful YouTube channel where he shares his insights on cricket and life.The COVID-19 pandemic served as a catalyst for Ashwin's personal and professional evolution. It gave him the opportunity to reassess his priorities and realize the importance of living in the moment. This newfound perspective has fueled his creativity and allowed him to express himself more freely.Ashwin's success is not without its lessons. He emphasizes the importance of being fearless and seeing the fun side of risks. He believes that the world is not always fair, but that it is possible to learn from both positive and negative experiences.

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has expressed confidence in Jason Gillespie's ability to succeed as the red-ball coach of the Pakistan men's team. Gillespie, a former Australian pacer, was appointed to the role in April 2024.Ponting, who played alongside Gillespie for Australia, praised his former teammate's analytical mind and quiet demeanor. He compared Gillespie to current Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir, noting their successful coaching records."Jason Gillespie is a bit like Gambhir. Pretty much everywhere he has been, his coaching record has been very very good," Ponting said. "He will have some challenges, I got no doubt about it. But he is a deep thinker and as I said, a quiet person that goes about it in his own way."Gillespie has a wealth of coaching experience, having led teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), and various English counties. He will take charge of Pakistan's ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh, England, and South Africa in the 2024-25 season.Pakistan's Test series against Bangladesh begins on August 21 in Rawalpindi. Saud Shakeel has been named as the new Pakistan Test vice-captain ahead of the series. The team is currently ranked fifth in the ICC World Test Championship standings and will be looking to improve their position with positive results against Bangladesh.

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has predicted a 3-1 victory for his home team in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Ponting believes that Australia has a "point to prove" after losing their previous two home Test series to India.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prestigious Test series between Australia and India, will be played later this year. Australia has not defeated India in a Test series since 2014-15, and Ponting believes that the hosts are eager to break that streak."It's going to be a competitive series and, as I said, I think Australia's got a bit of a point to prove against India in Australia on the back of what's happened the last two series here," Ponting said on the ICC Review.Ponting also discussed the possibility of Steven Smith continuing to open the batting for Australia. Smith has been opening in recent Tests, but his form has been inconsistent. Ponting believes that Smith should only open if he is comfortable with the role."Probably the only one question there might be with Australia again, is if Smith's the right man to be opening the batting. That would be the only query that I can see there. But that was all about obviously bringing Cameron Green back into the side," Ponting said."So I'll rephrase it, not whether Smith's the right man to open the batting but whether he thinks it's the right spot for him. Because I think if he doesn't think it's the right spot then they'll make a change and get someone else back up there."Ponting's prediction of a 3-1 victory for Australia is based on the team's strong home record and the return of key players like Cameron Green. However, India will be a formidable opponent, and the series is likely to be closely contested.

James Anderson, England's legendary fast bowler, has hinted at a potential return to competitive cricket after his international retirement. Despite turning 42 recently, Anderson believes he still has the skills and desire to contribute as a bowler.Following his final Test match at Lord's, Anderson has been assisting England's bowlers in a coaching capacity. However, he may consider stepping back from this role during the upcoming tours to Pakistan and New Zealand, opening up his schedule for overseas opportunities."I feel there's something there, that I still want to play a little bit more," Anderson said. "I'm pretty open to anything at the minute. Things will become clearer as the rest of the year progresses."Anderson has not played white-ball cricket since 2019, but he remains England's all-time leading ODI wicket-taker. He believes he can still be effective in this format, having bowled at England's batters in the nets recently."I don't know how seriously I'm actually thinking about this myself right now," Anderson admitted. "But the bowling thing is still a definite option for me, the way my body feels right now, the way my head is."Anderson also expressed his desire to give back to Lancashire, the county where he developed as a young bowler. "I've played more Tests than I have first-class games for Lancs," he said. "Whenever I've gone back, I've tried my very best and loved it."Despite his age, Anderson remains confident in his ability to bowl fast and effectively. "There will be a time when I can't turn my arm over at all and I can't bowl at 50mph, never mind 80, so while I can do that, I want to keep doing it," he said.Anderson's potential return to competitive cricket would be a remarkable achievement for a player of his age. It would also provide a valuable opportunity for younger bowlers to learn from one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.

Tom Curran, the third-highest wicket-taker among overseas bowlers in the Big Bash League (BBL), has signed a two-year pre-draft deal with the Melbourne Stars for the 2024-25 season. The move comes after a tumultuous season with the Sydney Sixers, where he was suspended for intimidating an umpire.Despite taking 3 for 19 in the game where he was suspended, Curran only appeared in two more matches before a knee injury ended his campaign. The Sixers have since reassessed their overseas options, with a spinner reportedly high on their list.However, Curran believes he left the Sixers on good terms. "I don't feel like it was an issue with the Sixers," he said. "We fought the case together and they backed me."Curran is currently playing for the Oval Invincibles in the Hundred, having recovered from a broken forearm. The injury was a reminder of the dangers bowlers face, particularly in T20 cricket."It was nasty," he said. "It could have been so much worse if it had got me in the face."Curran has previously fought back from two stress fractures of the back and has opted to step away from red-ball cricket. While he is not consumed by the prospect of an England recall, he is confident he could make a success of it."I feel like I'm a better all-round player than I was then," he said. "I know my value now."