Cricket

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has suspended head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe for disciplinary reasons. The suspension, effective immediately, will last for 48 hours, after which Hathurusinghe will be "terminated immediately." Phil Simmons will assume the role of interim head coach until the 2025 Champions Trophy.Hathurusinghe's second stint as Bangladesh coach began in February 2022, eliciting mixed reactions from former captains, including current BCB president Faruque Ahmed, who questioned the decision to reappoint him.Under Hathurusinghe's leadership, Bangladesh's performances in the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2024 T20 World Cup were underwhelming. However, he guided the team to a historic 2-0 Test series victory against Pakistan in Pakistan, their first overseas Test series win in 15 years.Despite this achievement, Bangladesh's subsequent tour of India resulted in a 2-0 Test series loss and a 3-0 T20I series loss, including a record-breaking defeat in the third match.Hathurusinghe's suspension comes amid growing criticism of his coaching methods and the team's recent performances. The BCB has not yet disclosed the specific disciplinary grounds for his suspension.

Gautam Gambhir, a legendary cricketer and now a respected coach, has a proven track record of success both on and off the field. As a player, he played pivotal roles in India's triumphs at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the title.Beyond his playing career, Gambhir has made a significant impact as a mentor for various IPL teams, including the Lucknow Super Giants and KKR. His guidance and insights have been instrumental in shaping the teams' strategies and performances.Now, as the coach of the Indian cricket team, Gambhir faces a crucial challenge. The upcoming months will be a test of his leadership and tactical acumen as India embarks on a mission to achieve success on the international stage.Gambhir is known for his straightforward and honest approach. Manan Vohra, a prominent figure in Indian domestic cricket, shared an enlightening conversation he had with Gambhir after being selected for only one match during the 2022 and 2023 LSG seasons."I approached Gambhir and expressed my concerns about playing just one match," Vohra recalled. "He responded with a simple yet profound statement: 'Life is different for everyone; some players get eight matches, some get just one. Not everyone gets the same opportunities. But if you have one match, you have to make the most of it.'"Initially, I could have taken offense, but I realized the wisdom in his words. If you're truly talented, you should be able to prove yourself even with limited opportunities."Vohra's experience highlights Gambhir's belief in accountability and the importance of seizing every chance. This philosophy has resonated with Vohra and has influenced his approach to the game.As India prepares for upcoming challenges, Gambhir's leadership and guidance will be crucial. His experience, tactical prowess, and unwavering determination will be invaluable assets as the team strives for success on the global stage.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current head coach of Team India, has often been perceived as arrogant due to his intense desire to win. However, his childhood coach, Sanjay Bharadwaj, believes this perception is a misunderstanding.Bharadwaj, who has known Gambhir for over three decades, describes him as a "kid" with an innocent and pure heart. He emphasizes that Gambhir's competitive spirit and determination to succeed are often mistaken for arrogance."People think he is arrogant, but that is his attitude towards winning," Bharadwaj said. "He has always been a fierce competitor, even as a young boy. He would cry after losing matches because he hated defeat."Bharadwaj credits Gambhir for his unwavering commitment to developing young players. He cites the example of pacer Navdeep Saini, who was given a chance in the Indian team thanks to Gambhir's insistence."Gambhir is not just about winning," Bharadwaj said. "He is also about shaping the careers of young players. He is polite and has a good heart."As Team India head coach, Gambhir has focused on developing the team's tactical approach. He has been praised for his innovative strategies, such as handing the ball to Rinku Singh and Suryakumar Yadav in the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka."Gambhir is not a technical coach," Bharadwaj said. "He is a tactical coach. His job is to boost morale and inject confidence into players who may not be sure of themselves."Bharadwaj believes that Gambhir's passion for winning and his commitment to developing young players make him an ideal coach for Team India. He is confident that Gambhir will lead the team to success in the upcoming tournaments.

Younis Khan, Pakistan's legendary batsman and former captain, has expressed his belief that the nation's cricket would have achieved remarkable success if the late head coach, Bob Woolmer, had lived longer. Woolmer's untimely demise in 2007 left a profound void in Pakistan's cricketing landscape, and Younis' words suggest that his presence could have steered the team towards greater heights.Woolmer's impact on Pakistan's cricket during his tenure as head coach was undeniable. He instilled a sense of discipline and professionalism within the team, and his tactical acumen helped Pakistan achieve some of its most memorable victories. Younis, who was a member of the squad in 2007, recalled Woolmer's daily routine of sitting down with players after matches to discuss cricket.The tragic passing of Woolmer and the subsequent stress endured by the players during their time in the West Indies led Younis to reconsider his decision to captain Pakistan for an extended period. He felt that the authorities should have provided more assistance to the team during that challenging period.Following the incident, the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government dispatched their own security personnel to the Caribbean to collaborate with the Jamaican police. The investigation ultimately concluded that Woolmer's death was due to natural causes.Younis revealed that Woolmer had been preparing him mentally to assume the role of Pakistan's captain across all formats following the World Cup. However, after what happened in the tournament, Younis changed his mind and became a reluctant captain with no long-term tenure in mind.The team was relocated to a different island after Woolmer's passing, where they were interrogated by local authorities for three days. Younis described this experience as "torture" and emphasized that while players have responsibilities as ambassadors of their country, authorities must also look after their well-being.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has penned an emotional tribute to former head coach Rahul Dravid, expressing his gratitude and admiration for his mentor's guidance and leadership.Dravid's tenure as coach culminated in India's triumph at the T20 World Cup, a moment that Rohit described as "the only thing missing from your arsenal." He hailed Dravid's humility, love for the game, and ability to connect with players on a personal level."I have been trying to find the right words to properly express my feelings on this, but I’m not sure I ever will," Rohit wrote on Instagram. "Since my childhood days, I have looked up to you just like billions of others but I was lucky enough to get to work with you this closely."Rohit credited Dravid with instilling confidence and fostering a comfortable environment within the team. He also acknowledged Dravid's strategic acumen, which played a crucial role in India's T20 World Cup victory."This was the only thing missing from your arsenal and I’m so happy that we got to achieve it together," Rohit said. "Rahul bhai it has been an absolute privilege to get to call you my confidant, my coach and my friend."Dravid's decision to remain as coach after the disappointment of the ODI World Cup final in 2023 proved pivotal. His guidance and support helped India overcome adversity and secure the T20 World Cup title, ending a 17-year wait for the prestigious trophy.Rohit's heartfelt tribute underscores the profound impact Dravid has had on Indian cricket. His legacy as a coach will be remembered for his ability to inspire, motivate, and lead a team to unprecedented heights.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has proposed that Rahul Dravid be honored with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, for his exceptional contributions to Indian cricket. Dravid's tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team culminated in a triumphant victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies.During his coaching stint, India achieved remarkable milestones, including finishing as runners-up in both the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship final. The team also emerged victorious in the Asia Cup in the same year.Prior to his role as head coach, Dravid had already made significant contributions to Indian cricket. He served as the head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and led the Indian U19 team to victory in the 2018 U19 World Cup as their head coach.With an impressive tally of 24,177 runs in international cricket during his playing career, Dravid's impact on Indian cricket has been immense both on and off the field. Gavaskar believes that Dravid's achievements deserve the highest recognition that the country can bestow.Gavaskar praised Dravid's unwavering commitment and selflessness throughout his career, both as a player and now as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. He highlighted Dravid's willingness to put the team's needs above his own, recalling instances from his playing days."Not for him a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batter, couldn't play those last few minutes of the day, how can one expect a lower-order batter to do so? When asked to keep wickets, he would do so because that helped the team think-tank pick an extra batter or bowler according to the pitch and the opposition," Gavaskar wrote.Gavaskar believes that Dravid's team-oriented attitude has been instilled in the team, contributing to their success in close games and their overall calmness under pressure. He concluded by expressing the gratitude of a cricket-crazy nation for Dravid's exceptional contributions.

Rahul Dravid, the former Indian cricket team head coach, recently reflected on his tenure with the team, sharing his experiences and insights in a heartfelt video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).Dravid, who had a stellar playing career but never won a World Cup, guided India to the top of the Test and ODI rankings during his coaching stint. The icing on the cake was the T20 World Cup title victory in 2022."Coaching is not just about coaching cricket," Dravid said. "It's about building connections with people and creating an environment that allows success." He emphasized the importance of fostering a safe and supportive atmosphere where players can thrive without fear of failure.Dravid expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is after the World Cup triumph. "I've really enjoyed working with Rohit," he said. "To see him grow as a person and a leader has been a real tribute to him."He also praised Virat Kohli, who also retired from T20Is, for his professionalism and commitment. "His desire to improve is simply fascinating for me to watch," Dravid said.Reflecting on his coaching journey, Dravid highlighted the connections he built with the players and staff. "The friendships that I've built will last long after I forget some of the good results and bad results," he said.Dravid's tenure was marked by both successes and setbacks. He acknowledged that not all results were favorable, but emphasized that they are part and parcel of being a coach."I've really enjoyed myself," Dravid said. "I loved connecting with the team and the players. I've got to know them a little more, personally, and it's been quite fantastic."Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir is reportedly set to succeed Dravid as the Indian team coach.

Hilton Moreeng, the former South African women's cricket team head coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of the USA's senior and Under-19 women's teams. Moreeng's appointment comes after the departure of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose contract expired in 2023.Moreeng brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as South Africa's women's head coach for over 11 years. During his tenure, South Africa reached two ODI World Cup semi-finals, two T20 World Cup semi-finals, and became the first national senior side to reach a World Cup final, at home in the 2023 T20 World Cup."I am thrilled to join USA Cricket and eager to collaborate with both current players and emerging talent," said Moreeng. "My goal is to methodically build a competitive squad capable of rivaling the best in women's cricket globally. Together, we aim to foster a culture of excellence and achievement within USA Cricket, paving the way for a successful future on the international stage."Moreeng's appointment is seen as a significant step forward for USA Cricket, which is aiming to establish itself as a competitive force in women's cricket. The team has made significant progress in recent years, qualifying for the 2023 T20 World Cup and winning the 2022 ICC Women's T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier."Coach Hilton brings a rich background and vast experience to USA Cricket having been a critical part of the transformation of South African women's cricket," said USA Cricket chairman, Venu Pisike. "USA women are also at the beginning of a transformative period with an Olympics in four years' time and we believe Hilton's successes, diverse experiences, and understanding of challenges in an emerging cricket nation is well suited for our program."Moreeng's first assignment will be to prepare the team for the 2025 U-19 Women's T20 World Cup. He will also oversee the development of the senior team, which is aiming to qualify for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Justin Sammons, a renowned South African cricket coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Zimbabwe national cricket team. Sammons brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked extensively in South African cricket over the years. He will be assisted by former Zimbabwe international Dion Ebrahim.Sammons' appointment comes at a crucial time for Zimbabwe cricket, as the team has failed to qualify for three out of the last four World Cups. The new coach is expected to bring a fresh perspective and help the team improve its performance on the international stage.Sammons has a proven track record of identifying, nurturing, and developing young talent. He has worked with several domestic sides in South Africa and was part of the South Africa men's technical team as batting consultant between 2021 and 2023."We are delighted to confirm Justin as head coach of the Zimbabwe senior men's national team," said Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani. "He brings a wealth of coaching experience and a reputation of identifying, nurturing and developing some of the best young talent in South Africa."Sammons expressed his excitement about the opportunity to coach Zimbabwe. "I look forward to the road ahead and I am excited to start working with this talented group of players," he said.Dave Houghton, the former Zimbabwe captain, had served as the national team's head coach for 18 months before resigning after Zimbabwe's failure to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024. Walter Chawaguta, who coached Zimbabwe in 2008, took over as interim coach after that.Ebrahim, meanwhile, has represented Zimbabwe in 29 Tests and 82 ODIs between 2001 and 2005. He has been a part of the backroom staff with the New Zealand senior men's team more recently.The rest of the support staff for the Zimbabwe team will be appointed in consultation with Sammons. Elton Chigumbura, the former captain of Zimbabwe, has been appointed head coach of the nation's Under-19 team. Norbert Manyande and Paul Adams will serve as assistant and bowling coach, respectively.