Cricket

Suryakumar Yadav, the newly appointed Indian T20 captain, has expressed his enthusiasm for leading the team on the field, despite not having previously held the captaincy role. He credits his leadership skills to the lessons he has learned from various skippers throughout his career.Yadav was named India's T20 captain last week, succeeding Hardik Pandya after Rohit Sharma's retirement from the format. His first assignment will be the three-match T20 series against hosts Sri Lanka, beginning on Saturday."I have always enjoyed being a leader on the field even though I was not the captain. I have always learnt a lot of things from different captains. It's a good feeling and a great responsibility," Yadav told BCCI.TV.Yadav's appointment marks the beginning of a new era for Indian cricket, with Gautam Gambhir taking over as head coach. Yadav and Gambhir share a strong bond from their days together at Kolkata Knight Riders in 2014."This relationship is special because in 2014 I played under him in KKR. It was special because from there only I got opportunities. The relationship is still strong," Yadav said.Yadav emphasized the importance of humility and staying grounded while leading the team. He believes that cricket is just a part of life and that it should not define one's self-worth."I think most important thing what I have learned from this sport is how humble you are after achieving or even after not doing well. I have learned when you do something on the ground you have to leave it on the ground," he said."This is not your life, this is just a part of your life. So you can't be when you are doing well you stay on the top and when you are not doing well, you are underground."Yadav's leadership style is likely to be influenced by the experiences he has gained from playing under different captains. He has learned the importance of communication, adaptability, and decision-making.As India embarks on a new chapter in its cricketing history, Yadav's leadership will be crucial in shaping the team's future. His experience, skills, and passion for the game make him an ideal candidate to lead India to success in the T20 format.

Jasprit Bumrah Offers Insights on Hardik Pandya's Challenges as Mumbai Indians SkipperIndia's premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has shed light on the challenges faced by Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya during the 2024 IPL season. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Bumrah discussed the difficulties Pandya encountered and the importance of mental resilience in dealing with criticism and adversity.Pandya, who took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, faced intense scrutiny and frequent booing from fans, particularly at the Wankhede Stadium. The team's poor performance, finishing last in the IPL standings with only four wins in 14 matches, further exacerbated the situation.Bumrah emphasized the importance of blocking out negative thoughts, a strategy Pandya employed during the challenging period. He acknowledged the impact of fan reactions on players, especially when playing in front of a home crowd."It's not that simple saying 'just don't focus on it.' They're screaming, and you can hear it, but then, the inner circle helps you. We, as a team, don't encourage that, we don't promote that, we don't think that is warranted," Bumrah said.Bumrah highlighted the significance of team support and family during such times. "Now, the world can think what they want to. We as a team were talking to him, if he needed support, his family will always be there. Certain things are beyond your control. If it happens, it happens."The Indian pacer also pointed out the dramatic shift in public perception of Pandya following his outstanding performances in the T20 World Cup. However, he cautioned that the narrative could quickly change again with just one loss.Reflecting on the nature of sports and its emotional highs and lows, Bumrah remarked, "You understand it now, because we play a sport that is so popular, every sportsman will go through these things. In football, you see fans booing the best players in the world. This is a part of the sportsman's journey, things will happen that are not great, sometimes, it might not be fair also, but it is the way it is."Bumrah concluded by encouraging Pandya and others to take challenges in stride. "We have had a great life, we're doing good things in our sport and for ourselves. All these challenges will come, but it will be better if you take it in the right manner."

Jasprit Bumrah, India's star pacer, has opened up about the profound impact his father's untimely demise had on his bond with his sister, Juhika Bumrah. The tragic event, which occurred when Bumrah was in second grade and his sister in fourth, brought them closer as a family unit, forging an unbreakable connection that has only strengthened over the years."As I told you, my father passed away when I was in second grade and my sister in fourth grade. Then we became really close as a family because life suddenly changed. We had some financial issues as well. So my mother started working. We became very close as a family because we went through a lot of ups and downs. But since then, that bond has become stronger and stronger. And that has only grown over the years," Bumrah told Indian Express.While Juhika Bumrah pursued a career in the makeup industry, her connection with her brother's cricketing endeavours has deepened. "Obviously, she (Bumrah's sister) is now in the makeup industry. She now does my makeup when we do shoots. But we, as a family, are very close as we discuss good days and bad days. We don't want to change ourselves too much because we have seen ups and downs both. We want to be as normal as we can, live a normal life, and get happy with the small achievements that we get," he added.Interestingly, Bumrah revealed that his sister's knowledge of cricket rules is limited, but her enthusiasm for his success is unwavering. "She is not a sports fan. But she is very happy as she started watching the sport because of me, and she still doesn't understand everything, but she gets very happy when I do well, and people congratulate her that your brother is doing really well," the pacer admitted.Bumrah's exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, where he claimed 15 wickets in eight matches with an impressive economy rate of 4.17, not only captivated the nation but also earned him the coveted Player of the Tournament award.Following India's triumphant World Cup victory, three of the team's stalwarts – captain Rohit Sharma, batting icon Virat Kohli, and versatile all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja – announced their retirement from T20I cricket. However, Bumrah has made it clear that he has no intentions of stepping away from the shortest format anytime soon, indicating his commitment to continuing his successful T20I career.While Kohli and Rohit will return to ODI action in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, Bumrah has been rested for both the ODI and T20I matches, allowing him to recharge and prepare for future challenges.

Andrew Flintoff, the former England all-rounder, is eagerly anticipating his debut as head coach of the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred. Flintoff's assistant coach, Kyle Hogg, who has known him for over two decades, believes that Flintoff will be "at his happiest" when the Superchargers face the Trent Rockets on Friday night.Hogg, who has worked closely with Flintoff in the past, described him as a natural leader who has always been supportive of his teammates. He believes that Flintoff's passion for cricket and his desire to succeed will make him a successful coach.Despite speculation linking Flintoff to the England head coach role, Hogg downplayed those rumors, stating that Flintoff is currently focused on his new role with the Superchargers. He emphasized that Flintoff is enjoying being back in a cricket environment and is eager to make a positive impact on the team.The Superchargers are facing a shortage of players, with several key players unavailable due to international commitments or injuries. However, Hogg believes that the team has enough depth to compete in the Hundred. He praised the commitment of Matthew Short, the Australian opener who has joined the team early from Major League Cricket.Short, who has played with Flintoff in the past, expressed his excitement about working with him. He described Flintoff as a modern-day coach who brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the team. Short believes that Flintoff's leadership will create a positive and enjoyable environment for the players.Hogg, who spent 14 seasons playing for Lancashire, admitted that it felt strange to be in the home dressing room at Headingley, the home ground of their rivals Yorkshire. However, he emphasized that the Superchargers are determined to make Headingley their fortress.Flintoff, who played for England and Lancashire, is known for his competitive spirit and his love for the game. Hogg believes that Flintoff will bring the same passion and intensity to his coaching role. He expects Flintoff to be fully invested in the team's success and to inspire the players to give their all.

India's Pakistan Trip for Champions Trophy in Doubt Amid Security ConcernsFormer Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has raised concerns about the Indian cricket team's potential trip to Pakistan for next year's ICC Champions Trophy, citing ongoing security issues in the country. Singh supports the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to seek government approval before finalizing their participation.The BCCI has yet to make a statement on the matter, emphasizing that the government's decision will determine whether the team travels to Pakistan. "Why should the Indian team go to Pakistan? There is a safety concern in Pakistan. The situation in Pakistan is such that incidents occur almost every day. I don't think it's safe (for the team) to go there," Singh told IANS.Pakistan has assured that all of India's matches in the tournament will be held in Lahore, and that the Indian team will stay at the same hotel throughout. They have also stated that keeping the team in one city would allow for more effective and secure arrangements.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has recently announced its acquisition of land next to the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore for the construction of a 5-star hotel. According to sources, the PCB plans to build the hotel and aims to have it ready by early next year. The new hotel is expected to eliminate the need for teams to stay at distant locations, thereby reducing the need for road closures related to security.The Indian cricket team declined to travel to Pakistan for the Asia Cup last year, resulting in the matches being held in Sri Lanka instead. Since 2012, Pakistan and India have not played any bilateral series, with the Indian government restricting cricket encounters between the two nations to ICC or ACC events.

Ben Stokes, England's Test captain, has expressed concerns over the congested international cricket schedule, calling for greater player input in its planning. With a packed 12-month period ahead for both England's red- and white-ball teams, Stokes fears the impact on player development and the quality of cricket.The upcoming schedule includes a three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, followed by a T20I series against Australia, an ODI series against Australia, a three-Test series in Pakistan, and an ODI series in the Caribbean. While England has a deep playing pool, the demands on multi-format players like Harry Brook, Mark Wood, and Jofra Archer will be significant.Stokes believes that players should have a say in shaping the schedule, especially given the rise of franchise cricket. He urges the ICC and ECB to consult with players to ensure the long-term health of the game. "The landscape is constantly changing," Stokes said. "I think some consultation might be quite nice... I think we could have some good input in that."The congested schedule also raises questions about the future of England's limited-overs teams. With a decision pending on the futures of head coach Matthew Mott and captain Jos Buttler, the team faces a period of transition. The demands of the schedule make it unlikely that both the Test and limited-overs teams will progress at the same pace.Stokes' focus is on building towards the Ashes in 2025-26, but he acknowledges the challenges ahead. "It is something that does need to be addressed," he said. "Who knows what international cricket is going to look like, with all the franchise stuff that is going on as well?"The international cricket schedule is at a crossroads, with the rise of franchise cricket and the demands on players increasing. Stokes' call for greater player input is a timely reminder of the need to balance the interests of all stakeholders to ensure the long-term health of the game.

As the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) approaches its climax, the playoff picture is becoming clearer. Defending champion Lyca Kovai Kings and three-time winner Chepauk Super Gillies have already secured their spots, while SKM Salem Spartans has been eliminated.The remaining two playoff berths are up for grabs, with Trichy Grand Cholas and iDream Tiruppur Tamizhans facing off in a virtual knockout clash on Saturday. The winner will join Kovai Kings and Super Gillies in the semifinals.Dindigul Dragons, currently in fifth place, has a strong chance to qualify as it has two matches remaining and needs to win at least one. Nellai Royal Kings, in sixth place, must win its last match against Dindigul to keep its playoff hopes alive.Siechem Madurai Panthers, despite having only one win from five matches, still has an outside chance to qualify. It must win its last two matches by big margins to boost its net run rate and hope for favorable results from other teams.Last season, the NPR College Ground in Dindigul witnessed distinctive bounce and swing for pacers. The pitches retained moisture and had grass patches, resulting in low-scoring affairs. If the weather and pitch conditions remain similar this year, the playoff-aspiring teams will heavily rely on their bowlers.

Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club Bans Sixes to Curb Property DamageThe Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club, a historic English cricket club established in 1790, has implemented a controversial rule prohibiting batters from hitting sixes. This unusual regulation stems from complaints from nearby residents about property damage caused by stray cricket balls.The club's decision was prompted by concerns from neighbors that cricket balls were hitting and damaging their windows, vehicles, and sheds. To address these concerns, the club has introduced a unique solution: any six hit will be declared null, and the subsequent ball will result in the batsman being out.The rationale behind this rule is that the club's ground is relatively small and cannot accommodate the powerful shots of modern cricketers. Mary Gill, an 80-year-old resident, expressed her support for the ban, stating that the club's young players were "hitting the ball as far as they can" and causing disturbance.However, the club's decision has not been met with universal approval. Some players have criticized the rule as "ridiculous" and argued that hitting sixes is an integral part of the sport. One player questioned, "How can you ban it? It's ridiculous. To take that away removes the joy of it."Despite the controversy, the club maintains that the rule is necessary to protect the property of its neighbors. The club's chairman, John Smith, stated that the club had "tried everything" to mitigate the problem, including installing nets and reducing the number of matches played.The Southwick and Shoreham Cricket Club's decision highlights the challenges faced by cricket clubs in urban areas. As cricket becomes increasingly popular and powerful, clubs must find ways to balance the needs of players with the concerns of residents.

Kevin Sinclair, the West Indies' offspinning allrounder, has been ruled out of the third and final Test against England after sustaining a fractured left forearm. Sinclair suffered the injury on the final day of the second Test at Trent Bridge, when he was struck by a 92mph bouncer from Mark Wood.The incident occurred as Sinclair attempted to fend off the delivery, which ballooned up into the cordon and was taken by Zak Crawley. Sinclair reviewed the dismissal but the on-field decision was upheld by DRS, showing impact with the sweatband of his left glove.Sinclair's injury is a blow to the West Indies, who are already 2-0 down in the series. He has been replaced by Gudakesh Motie for the third Test, which begins on June 23 at Emirates Old Trafford.Wood was in electric form throughout the second Test, his first appearance of the summer. He clocked a top speed of 97.1mph in his third over - the fastest delivery of his Test career - and maintained high speeds throughout the match.Despite his impressive pace, Wood only returned one wicket in each innings. However, his presence had a significant impact on the game, as he forced the West Indies batsmen to play cautiously and made them vulnerable to short-pitched bowling.Wood's performance was praised by England captain Ben Stokes, who believes that the 34-year-old could be the one to blow a batting line-up apart this summer."Even in his second or third spells, you have to hold your hands up and celebrate what we have there," said Stokes. "He's got the heart of a lion. He runs in spell after spell, ball after ball."Although he didn't get the rewards he wanted last week, he knows he affects the game in more than just wickets. That showed last week. I think someone will pay this summer, either West Indies this game or Sri Lanka."