Cricket

VVS Laxman, the former Indian batting maestro, has been instrumental in transforming the National Cricket Academy (NCA) into a hub for nurturing young talent and developing a robust bench strength for Indian cricket. Since taking over as the head of the NCA in December 2021, Laxman has implemented a holistic approach that emphasizes youth development, education, and coaching.Laxman's vision for the NCA is to create a comprehensive ecosystem that supports players at all levels, from emerging talents to established international stars. He believes that by providing the right environment and resources, the NCA can help players reach their full potential and contribute to India's continued success on the global stage.One of the key areas of focus for Laxman is injury management. He recognizes that injuries can derail even the most promising careers, and he has implemented a proactive approach to prevent and rehabilitate injuries. The NCA has a dedicated team of medical experts who work closely with players to monitor their fitness and provide personalized recovery plans.Laxman also emphasizes the importance of bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket. He believes that players need to be exposed to high-level competition to develop their skills and prepare for the rigors of international cricket. The NCA organizes regular camps and tournaments for emerging players, providing them with opportunities to showcase their talent and learn from experienced coaches.Laxman's efforts have already borne fruit. Several players who have come through the NCA system have gone on to represent India at the international level, including Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, and Ishan Kishan. The NCA has also played a crucial role in the rehabilitation of injured players, helping them return to the field stronger and more resilient.Laxman's leadership has transformed the NCA into a center of excellence that is committed to developing the next generation of Indian cricket stars. His holistic approach, emphasis on injury management, and focus on bridging the gap between domestic and international cricket are laying the foundation for a bright future for Indian cricket.

India's Aggressive Batting Approach: A Flexible and Effective Alternative to 'Bazball'In the wake of England's 'Bazball' revolution, India has emerged with its own aggressive batting approach that is proving equally effective. While 'Bazball' emphasizes relentless attacking, India's mindset is more adaptable, allowing for both aggressive and patient play depending on the conditions.The decision to replace Cheteshwar Pujara with Shubman Gill at No. 3 reflects India's desire to increase scoring rates. This move has paid dividends, with Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal showcasing their ability to switch between aggressive and defensive modes.India's batting lineup has been heavily influenced by T20 cricket, with players like Gill, Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli having captained IPL teams. This experience has instilled in them a wide range of shot-making abilities, allowing them to adapt to different situations.Bangladesh's Mehidy Hasan Miraz acknowledged the difficulty in planning against India's "all-format batting." He noted that India's players are adept at playing the situation, making them a formidable opponent in all three formats of the game.While 'Bazball' has been credited with revitalizing Test cricket, India's approach demonstrates that there are multiple ways to play the game aggressively and effectively. India's flexible mindset and ability to execute their plans with precision make them a formidable force in the world of Test cricket.

The Bharat Ratna Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow is abuzz with excitement as the inter-state season kicks off with the Z.R. Irani Cup tie between Mumbai and the Rest of India (RoI). The camaraderie and bonhomie between the two squads were evident during the practice sessions, but the competitive spirit will be on full display come Tuesday.Mumbai, the reigning Ranji Trophy champions, will be eager to regain the Irani Cup after a three-decade drought. Beating a formidable RoI side, which boasts a galaxy of India stars, is considered the ultimate test for a Ranji champion. Ajinkya Rahane and his Mumbai team will be determined to start their Ranji title defense with a bang.The RoI squad, on the other hand, will be bolstered by the addition of Yash Dayal and Dhruv Jurel, who were released from India's Test squad. Their presence will pose additional selection dilemmas for both camps. Mumbai may consider handing a debut to promising youngster Ayush Mhatre or giving Siddhesh Lad his first First Class appearance in four years.Beyond the team make-up, the bigger selection battles will be with an eye on the upcoming tour of Australia. The Australia selection tussle could add an extra layer of intrigue to what promises to be a thrilling contest.

On a sweltering day at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, India's U-19 cricket team asserted their dominance in the first Youth Test against Australia U-19. Opener Vaibhav Suryavanshi (81 batting) mesmerized the crowd with his exquisite strokeplay, guiding India to a commanding 103 for no loss at the end of day one.Australia's bowlers had earlier toiled hard, but India's batsmen proved too resilient. Leg-spinner Mohamed Enaan (3/48) led the charge, dismissing Steve Hogan and Simon Budge, while pacers N. Samarth (3/49) and Aditya Rawat (2/50) chipped in with crucial wickets.Riley Kingsell (53) and Oliver Peake (29) provided some resistance for Australia, but India's bowlers maintained a tight grip on the proceedings. Christian Howe (48) and Aidan O'Connor (61) briefly threatened to revive the visitors' innings with a 98-run seventh-wicket stand, but Aditya's timely dismissals ended their hopes.With only a couple of batters remaining, Samarth cleaned up the tail as Vaibhav took over and asserted his authority in India's reply. The right-hander showcased his full repertoire of shots, dispatching boundaries with ease and punishing loose deliveries with disdain.Suryavanshi's innings was a masterclass in batting, as he played with confidence and composure. He found the gaps with precision, drove through the covers with elegance, and pulled with power. His unbeaten knock has put India in a commanding position heading into day two.

Former Indian cricket selector Saba Karim has suggested that Rinku Singh and Abhishek Sharma could form a formidable opening partnership for India in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. Karim believes that Rinku's aggressive style and ability to play big shots would complement Sharma's more composed approach."Rinku is quite a complete player," Karim said. "If he gets more opportunities, if he gets more deliveries to face, he can add more value to the side. So there is a strong possibility of having that combination."Rinku has typically batted in the middle order for India, but Karim believes he has the potential to be a successful opener. "He comes in number six or seven, and he hardly gets any balls to get himself in," Karim said. "But if he gets more opportunities, he can be a valuable asset to the team."India's squad for the Bangladesh T20Is also includes several other exciting young players, such as Riyan Parag, Harshit Rana, and Mayank Yadav. Yadav, who has been fast-tracked into the team after an impressive IPL season with Lucknow Super Giants, is the fastest bowler in India.The team will be led by Suryakumar Yadav, who has been in excellent form for India in recent months. Hardik Pandya is the only other senior player in the squad, which is a sign of India's commitment to developing young talent.India will play three T20Is against Bangladesh, with the first match scheduled for November 27 in Dhaka.

The South African T20 league (SA20) is set to host its third season, and the upcoming player auction promises to be an exciting affair. With nearly 200 players shortlisted, including 115 South Africans, the six franchises will have their pick of some of the world's best T20 talent.Among the international players up for grabs are Shamar Joseph, Naseem Shah, Josh Little, and Josh Hull. These players have all impressed in recent T20 tournaments and will be looking to make a mark in the SA20.The Paarl Royals have the largest purse remaining at R11.95 million, followed by MI Cape Town with R8.275 million and Pretoria Capitals with R4.575 million. The Joburg Super Kings have R3.925 million, while the Sunrisers Eastern Cape hold R2.845 million. Durban's Super Giants have the smallest purse remaining at R2.35 million.Some of the notable international players on the shortlist include New Zealand opener Martin Guptill, Sri Lankan allrounder Kamindu Mendis, and Afghan wrist-spinner Qais Ahmad. Reeza Hendricks, released by the Super Kings, is the most notable South African in the shortlist.Each squad must have 19 players, including a minimum of 10 South Africans, a maximum of seven international players, a rookie, and a wildcard player. All franchises, except the Super Kings, have announced their wildcard picks. The Super Kings have until December 30 to name their wildcard player.The Paarl Royals have selected former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik as their wildcard. Karthik will be the first Indian to compete in the SA20.The SA20 Auction and Rookie Draft will take place on October 1. The tournament is scheduled to begin on January 9.

India tightened their grip on the rain-hit second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur on Monday, reducing the visitors to 26 for two in their second innings. Star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice to leave Bangladesh trailing by 26 runs with two days remaining.Earlier, India declared their first innings at 285 for nine, setting Bangladesh a target of 312. Yashasvi Jaiswal (71 off 52) and KL Rahul (68 off 43) played aggressive knocks to propel India to a commanding position. Virat Kohli also contributed with a fluent 47 off 35 balls.Bangladesh's veteran left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan and off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz shared eight wickets between them to restrict India's free-flowing batting. Shakib claimed four wickets for 78 runs, while Miraz picked up four for 41.In response, Bangladesh were bundled out for 233 in their first innings. India's bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj (3/30) and Umesh Yadav (3/53), shared the spoils.With Ashwin's early strikes in Bangladesh's second innings, India are now in a dominant position. The visitors need to bat out of their skins to save the match, while India will be looking to wrap up the victory and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the two-match series.

India's Batting Blitz Overwhelms Bangladesh in Kanpur TestKANPUR, India - India's batsmen unleashed a relentless assault on Bangladesh's bowlers on Monday, overhauling the visitors' first innings total in just 28 overs and injecting new life into the rain-marred second test in Kanpur.After quickly dismissing Bangladesh for 233, India's openers, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, set the tone for a batting blitz at the Green Park Stadium. Jaiswal smashed three fours in the first over, while Rohit hit three sixes in his first five deliveries.The carnage continued as India reached 50 runs in three overs, 100 in 10.1, and 200 in 24.2 - the fastest ever by a test team. Jaiswal raced to a 31-ball half-century, while Shubman Gill (39) and Rishabh Pant (25) also contributed.KL Rahul (68) and Virat Kohli (47) maintained the tempo, and even tailender Akash Deep smashed two sixes before Rohit declared the innings at 285-9.Earlier, Bangladesh had resumed on 107-3 but lost wickets in quick succession. Mominul Haque, who had scored a century on the opening day, was left stranded on 107 not out as the bottom half of the order collapsed.India's superb catching led to the dismissals of Litton Das and Shakib Al Hasan, while Jasprit Bumrah claimed three wickets.With Bangladesh chasing victory, Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice in his successive overs to reduce the visitors to 26-2 at stumps. Shadman Islam and Mominul Haque were at the crease, with Bangladesh still 26 behind.The match, which has lost more than two days' play to bad weather, seemed destined for a draw, but India's batting blitz has opened up the possibility of a result.

Pan Masala Advertising at Green Park Stadium: A Balancing ActThe Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, known for its pan masala production, has witnessed a reduction in the advertising space given to smokeless tobacco brands during the ongoing India-Bangladesh Test match. While billboards and electronic displays still feature brands like 'Shikhar' and 'Vimal,' the space allocated to them has been significantly diminished compared to previous matches.UPCA officials maintain that these brands are promoting mouth fresheners, not pan masala. However, the absence of the word "elaichi" (cardamom) on the advertisements raises questions about whether this is a form of surrogate advertising. Surrogate advertising involves using a brand's name and essence to promote banned or restricted products.The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003 prohibits direct advertising of tobacco products. However, it does not explicitly address surrogate advertising. This loophole has allowed pan masala brands to indirectly promote their products through advertisements for mouth fresheners or other non-tobacco items.The revenue generated from pan masala advertising has traditionally accounted for a significant portion of the income from international matches. However, UPCA has taken a financial hit by reducing the advertising space for these brands.BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla has refrained from labeling the advertisements as surrogate, stating that the brands are not explicitly promoting tobacco. However, the union health ministry has urged the BCCI and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to prevent surrogate advertising of tobacco and alcohol by sportspersons.The issue of tobacco control in India is a serious concern. India is the second largest tobacco producer and exporter in the world, and tobacco-related deaths account for nearly 13.5 lakhs fatalities annually. The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) was launched in 2007-08 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.