Cricket

Legendary West Indian cricketer Chris Gayle recently had the honor of meeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness' official visit to India. Gayle shared his experience on Instagram, posting videos and pictures of his encounter with PM Modi and other dignitaries.Gayle expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, tweeting, "Honor to have met with the Prime Minister of India @narendramodi. Jamaica To India #OneLove." The Jamaican Prime Minister's visit, from September 30 to October 3, marked the first bilateral visit of a Jamaican Prime Minister to India.India and Jamaica share a strong historical and cultural bond, rooted in their shared colonial past, democratic values, and passion for cricket. Gayle, a renowned West Indian cricketer, has been a significant ambassador for sports between Jamaica, the Caribbean, and India.Throughout his illustrious career, Gayle has represented the West Indies in all formats of international cricket. He has amassed an impressive 19,593 runs in 483 matches, including 42 centuries and 105 fifties. His ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of the sport has been a hallmark of his success.In the latter stages of his career, Gayle became synonymous with T20 cricket, becoming the format's leading run-scorer with 14,562 runs in 463 matches. His explosive batting style, characterized by towering sixes and infectious charisma, has endeared him to Indian fans during his stints with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Gayle ranks among the IPL's top run-getters, with 4,965 runs in 142 matches. His highest score of 175* remains the highest individual score in T20 cricket. His contributions to the IPL have solidified his status as one of the most beloved international cricketers in India.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, India's formidable spin duo, have evolved into exceptional all-rounders, excelling with both bat and ball. Their partnership has been instrumental in India's success on home soil, where they have shared the responsibility of finishing matches and engineering crucial counterattacks.Jadeja's recent achievement of reaching 300 Test wickets in Kanpur highlights his understated contributions to the team. Despite Ashwin's impressive tally of over 500 Test wickets, Jadeja's credentials often go unnoticed.However, Ashwin acknowledges Jadeja's value, stating, "He is the second left-arm spinner to 300 wickets. I think he has got 3000 runs. These are no mean achievements."With the upcoming Australia tour, the debate over their place in the playing XI will resurface. Based on recent overseas selection trends, Jadeja is likely to be preferred over Ashwin.Ashwin, however, has embraced a flexible outlook, prioritizing the team's success over individual accolades. "If he (Jadeja) plays, I will bat for him all day, all night," he said. "It doesn't cross my head anymore at all."Ashwin's shift in perspective stems from the team's overseas triumphs. "Going to another country, especially a country like Australia or England, and your team putting in an extraordinary performance and you winning a Test match, makes me an incredibly proud Indian," he explained.Former coach Rahul Dravid's words have also influenced Ashwin's mindset. "He used to say when you finish, you will remember the moments and celebrations, not the numbers."

R. Ashwin, India's premier off-spinner, has hailed the team's current bowling riches and expressed hope that their legacy will inspire future generations of bowlers. "Each of those bowlers that bowl alongside me has the ability to hold on to a game, bowl with discipline, and yet produce wicket-taking balls," said Ashwin, who clinched a record-equalling 11th Player-of-the-Series award for his all-round effort in the recent Test series against Bangladesh.Ashwin emphasized that it is not just the bowlers' individual abilities but also the collective belief of the entire team that has contributed to their success. "When Rohit says that you make 400 to try and make a game out of it, it tells you that the captain believes the bowlers will get the job done," he said. "These bowlers have done it day in and day out. And they have the ability to pick 20 wickets. The bowling attack is quite special, and I hope that this legacy of bowling is taken forward."Explaining how India fashioned their remarkable win in under two days, Ashwin revealed that the aim was to have at least 70 to 80 overs to bowl out Bangladesh again. "When we gathered inside, he mentioned that we would go hammer and tongs and try to make 400 runs in probably 50 overs," he said. "In that bargain, if we got bowled out of less than 200, it was okay because we made a game of it."Ashwin also spoke about the importance of captain Rohit Sharma's aggressive approach. "When you walk the talk, I think the dressing room has no choice but to follow that pattern," he said. "We had 50 runs in three overs, and there was no looking back."When asked about breaking Muttiah Muralitharan's record for most Player of the Series awards, the 38-year-old insisted that cherishing memories is more important than records. "I do not have an answer for that. But I would like to do it at a special occasion," said Ashwin. "Probably if I end up with that, it's great. But these are not things that motivate me any more, honestly. For me, the love of the game is something that I have harped upon repeatedly. It makes a world of difference for me to enjoy what I do. I am so glad I have gotten here. I would like to retain that happiness."

India's Positive Attitude Revives Test CricketIn a thrilling display of aggressive cricket, India shook the foundations of the dying Test format with a resounding victory over New Zealand in Kanpur. Led by the dynamic duo of Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, the Indian team showcased an unwavering determination to force a win, setting a new benchmark for modern Test cricket.Rohit, known for his attacking approach, set the tone from the outset, smashing his first two deliveries for six. This bold move signaled India's intent to dominate the match and set up a quick victory. The entire batting lineup followed suit, playing unselfishly and with a relentless focus on scoring runs.Yashasvi Jaiswal, the 22-year-old opener, emerged as a star in the making with a brilliant 72 in the first innings. His innings ensured that India's early loss of Rohit didn't derail their momentum. The Indian bowlers, led by the exceptional Jasprit Bumrah, maintained a relentless pressure on the New Zealand batsmen, making a close finish seem unlikely.The match was played on a subpar pitch at Green Park Kanpur, a venue that has been criticized for its inadequate facilities. However, the players' determination and skill overcame the challenges posed by the poor infrastructure.Despite the victory, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) came under fire for its inefficiency. The lack of proper drying facilities resulted in the loss of two days of play, highlighting the need for minimum standards at Test venues.India's victory not only secured them valuable World Test Championship points but also served as a reminder of the enduring appeal of Test cricket. The team's positive attitude and aggressive approach have breathed new life into the format, proving that it can still captivate audiences with its unique blend of skill, strategy, and drama.

The third edition of the SA20 auction, held in Cape Town, set the stage for another thrilling season of South Africa's premier T20 league. With the tournament scheduled to commence on January 9, 2025, and conclude on February 8, all six franchises aimed to complete their 19-player squads.The auction witnessed intense bidding wars and strategic purchases as franchises sought to bolster their squads. Reeza Hendricks emerged as the most expensive signing, acquired by MI Cape Town for a staggering R4.30 million. Hendricks's ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed makes him a valuable asset for MI Cape Town.Another high-value buy was Richard Gleeson, who joined Sunrisers Eastern Cape for R2.3 million. Gleeson's express pace and yorker-bowling prowess make him a potent threat, particularly in the death overs. His experience in international leagues will be invaluable for Sunrisers Eastern Cape as they look to defend their title.Evin Lewis, the West Indian powerhouse, was another exciting pick, joining the Pretoria Capitals for R1.5 million. Lewis's explosive batting and ability to score quick runs will bolster Pretoria Capitals' top-order firepower.Marques Ackerman's signing for Pretoria Capitals at R800K was a calculated move. The middle-order batter's ability to stabilize innings and accelerate during the death overs makes him a versatile addition to the team.In a bargain buy, West Indian fast bowler Shamar Joseph was snapped up by Durban's Super Giants for just R425K. Joseph's raw talent and genuine pace offer tremendous potential, and he could prove to be a surprise package on South African pitches.The SA20 auction showcased the strategic thinking and competitive spirit of the franchises as they assembled their squads for the upcoming season. With a mix of international stars and rising domestic talents, the third edition of the SA20 promises to deliver thrilling cricket and intense competition.

India's dominance in Test cricket reached new heights in Kanpur as they shattered the record for the highest run-rate in a Test match, setting a blistering pace of 7.36 runs per over against Bangladesh. This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous record of 6.80 held by South Africa since 2005.The Indian batters showcased their exceptional skills, amassing a staggering 383 runs in just 52 overs across both innings. Their first innings was particularly impressive, with a run-rate of 8.22 as they piled up 285 runs in a mere 34.4 overs.This extraordinary batting performance saw India achieve several unprecedented milestones in Test cricket history. They recorded the fastest team 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250, all within a single afternoon's play.India's dominance extended beyond their batting, as they also became the first team to win a Test match without facing a single maiden over throughout the entire game. This remarkable feat highlights the relentless pressure they applied on the Bangladeshi bowlers.The victory in Kanpur was India's seventh in a row, extending their lead at the top of the World Test Championship rankings. Rohit Sharma's team has now achieved two rapid victories within nine months, with their triumph over South Africa in Cape Town earlier this year also featuring in the top five list of quickest results in Test cricket history.India's success in Kanpur is a testament to their exceptional talent and the aggressive approach they have adopted under Sharma's leadership. Their ability to score runs at a blistering pace and maintain pressure on the opposition has made them a formidable force in Test cricket.

Former England opener Ian Bell has heaped praise on India's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, describing him as an "entertainer" who he would "leave everything to watch."Pant, who has emerged as India's all-format player in recent years, returned to competitive cricket in the 2024 IPL after recovering from a serious car accident. He went on to win the T20 World Cup with the Indian team in Barbados in June.Since making his international return, Pant has been an integral part of the Men in Blue across formats."The player I enjoy watching the most is Rishabh Pant. I'm so pleased he is back. I love watching him. Some of his innings (against England) were incredible under pressure as well. When Rishabh comes out to bat, I would definitely sit down and stop everything else to watch him. He is certainly an entertainer which is great to watch," Bell told IANS.Bell, a veteran of 118 Tests, 161 ODIs, and eight T20Is, also picked Australian greats Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath as the toughest bowlers he faced during his career."I feel very lucky to have faced some of the greats of the game early in my career. Cricket is a game of partnerships, whether you bat in the middle or whether you're bowling. Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath together are the best I have faced. Those two would go out as best," he said.When asked about his thoughts on the current England team, Bell said, "It's been fascinating to watch since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over, there's a lot of talk about Bazball and a lot of aggression they play with. They've managed to allow the players to guard with some freedom. I think that's the real skill, Ravi Shastri had that ability as well to be able to pick pressure away from players. I think that's a really important skill as a coach. McCullum and Stokes allowed this team to show their talent and pushed them into positive."

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to ignite the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the world's top 150 female cricketers gather for the ninth edition of this prestigious tournament. Ten teams will battle it out in 23 matches, vying for the coveted title of world champions.The tournament kicks off on October 3rd with a thrilling encounter between Bangladesh and debutants Scotland. The matches will be played across two iconic venues: Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Dubai International Stadium, each offering unique challenges for the players.Australia, the reigning champions, enter the tournament with a formidable squad and a hunger for a record-breaking fourth consecutive title. However, they face stiff competition from a host of talented teams, including India, South Africa, and New Zealand.India, led by the spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav, will pose a significant threat to Australia in their Group A clash on October 13th. South Africa, under the leadership of Laura Wolvaardt, will be eager to build on their impressive performance in the 2023 World Cup, where they reached the final.Group B promises to be equally competitive, with England, Bangladesh, the West Indies, and Scotland vying for the top two spots. England, known for their aggressive style of play, will be a formidable opponent for South Africa in their October 7th encounter.Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on October 17th and 18th, setting the stage for an unforgettable final on October 20th in Dubai. The world will be watching as two teams battle it out for the ultimate prize in women's cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has unveiled the IPL Player Regulations 2025-27 ahead of the upcoming mega auction. These regulations aim to address the issue of overseas players withdrawing from the tournament after being picked in the auction.Former England cricketer Ian Bell has weighed in on the new rules, describing them as "fair" but emphasizing the need for a balance. He believes that while it is reasonable to penalize players who fail to honor their commitments, it is also important to consider the conflict between IPL and international schedules."It's a pretty fair rule. If you get picked in the auction and then you don't come, it's not fair to the team," Bell said. "But it's a balancing act because the IPL is usually at the start of the England season as well."According to the new regulations, any overseas player who fails to register for the Big Auction will be ineligible to participate in the following year's auction. Additionally, any player who registers and is picked in the auction but subsequently makes himself unavailable before the start of the season will be banned from the tournament and player auction for two seasons.Bell, who retired from cricket in 2020, has transitioned into a coaching role. He recently served as the batting coach for Sri Lanka's national team and has also worked with England's U-19 and Lions teams, as well as the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.The 42-year-old expressed his desire to coach an IPL team in the future, suggesting that his affiliation with the GMR Group, which owns the Delhi Capitals, could lead to a potential opportunity."The IPL is the cutting edge of cricket," Bell said. "I think I can contribute as well with my knowledge of the game. If you want to challenge yourself, then IPL is the place you want to be as a player and coach."