Cricket

Bangladesh's star cricketer Tamim Iqbal has ventured into the world of commentary during the ongoing India-Bangladesh Test series. On Day 3 of the first Test, Tamim engaged in a lighthearted banter with renowned Indian commentator Ravi Shastri.The conversation centered around the importance of power in hitting sixes. Tamim emphasized the role of physical strength, while Shastri highlighted the significance of technique. Shastri playfully pointed out that Tamim, despite his lean physique, has hit the most sixes for Bangladesh in both Tests and ODIs."Why are you complaining? You are not Arnold Schwarzenegger, and you hit the most sixes for Bangladesh! 41 sixes," Shastri quipped.Tamim's record speaks for itself. He has smashed 41 sixes in Test cricket, five more than his compatriot Mushfiqur Rahim. In ODIs, he has hit 103 maximums, three more than Rahim.Meanwhile, on the field, India's Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant slammed four sixes each as they notched up impressive centuries in the first innings. Their six-hitting prowess prompted the discussion between Tamim and Shastri.Bangladesh ended Day 3 on 158/4, still trailing India's massive target of 515 by 357 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim was dismissed before the end of play.Earlier, Gill and Pant's centuries helped India declare at 287/4 in their second innings. Bangladesh's poor first innings performance left them with a daunting task to chase down.Bangladesh's openers, Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam, provided a solid start with a 50-run partnership, but both fell shortly after. R Ashwin was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming three wickets, including those of Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim.Bangladesh enter this series on the back of a historic 2-0 away series win over Pakistan. India, on the other hand, are playing their first red-ball match since their 4-1 victory over England in March.

Darren Lehmann, the former head coach of the Australian cricket team, has stepped down from his assistant coaching roles with the Brisbane Heat and Queensland men's team to pursue a full-time radio commentary position with ABC Sport.Lehmann, 54, had a year remaining on his contract with the Heat and Queensland, having played a key role in the Heat's BBL title victory last season. He was set to continue under new head coach Johan Botha, but has opted to leave on the eve of the 2024-25 season to join ABC Sport's commentary team.The move marks a potential end to Lehmann's coaching career, as he had previously applied for the head coaching positions at the Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades, but was unsuccessful."I've had a great time over the journey, with so many fond memories from that time," Lehmann said. "I wish nothing but the best for the future for all at QC and the Heat and thank each and every member of staff and the playing group for making my time at QC so enjoyable and fulfilling."Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson praised Lehmann's contributions to Queensland cricket. "Throughout his long involvement with us, Darren has been a positive and proactive influence on cricket in the state," Svenson said. "Being part of the group that won the BBL last summer is a fitting way to farewell him."Andy Bichel will be the only remaining member of the coaching panel at both Queensland and Heat as a new era begins under Botha and general manager of high performance Joe Dawes.

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has faced a barrage of hate posts on social media, prompting him to engage in a heated exchange with trolls. The criticism stemmed from his commentary during the T20 World Cup 2024 and his political career as a Rajya Sabha MP.Harbhajan's commentary at the IPL drew criticism from a troll, to which he responded, "Yes plz leave .. u are listening to me waha and yaha so please leave." He also shared a tweet expressing gratitude for not facing similar criticism elsewhere.The trolls also questioned Harbhajan's attendance and contributions as a Rajya Sabha MP. In response, he stated, "Bhai mera sara salary goes for educating kids who can't afford it not a single penny goes for my own use. and I am also a tax payer like you.. itna gusaa nahi karte.. and if u do wanna get some education let me know I will take care of ur study too.. u need to learn TAMEEZ."Harbhajan's involvement as a pundit at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 in USA and West Indies has also been a target of criticism. However, he has remained unfazed, continuing to provide his insights and analysis.The incident highlights the growing trend of online harassment faced by public figures, particularly on social media platforms. It also raises questions about the responsibility of social media companies in combating hate speech and cyberbullying.

Ravi Shastri's Luggage Mishap at T20 World Cup: A Humorous TaleFormer India head coach and renowned commentator Ravi Shastri encountered an unexpected challenge during the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup when his luggage went astray, landing on a different island. Despite the inconvenience, Shastri's witty and optimistic nature shone through as he shared his experience on social media.Shastri, known for his sharp commentary and infectious enthusiasm, found himself in a peculiar situation when he arrived at the breakfast table in Antigua wearing a robe. The reason? His luggage had somehow ended up on another island, leaving him without his usual attire.Undeterred, Shastri took to Twitter to share his predicament with his followers. "Feeling like a drug lord at breakfast in this outfit here in beautiful Antigua, even though my luggage is still on another island. Can't wait for it to arrive soon!" he wrote, accompanied by a picture of himself in his makeshift attire.Shastri's humorous take on the situation resonated with fans, who praised his ability to stay positive and entertain even in less-than-ideal circumstances. His optimistic nature and resilience were evident in his light-hearted caption, which highlighted his ability to find humor in adversity.The luggage mishap is not an uncommon occurrence in the West Indies, with several players having faced similar issues in the past. However, Shastri's ability to turn the inconvenience into a moment of amusement has been widely appreciated.Shastri's last on-field appearance was at the toss of India's match against Afghanistan in Barbados. For the upcoming Super 8 game against Bangladesh at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, he traveled with the Indian team from Barbados to Antigua.Despite the luggage mishap, Shastri remains focused on his commentary duties, providing insightful analysis and entertaining anecdotes to viewers around the world. His ability to connect with fans and bring a unique perspective to the game has made him one of the most popular commentators in cricket today.

Ravi Shastri's Electrifying Introduction Sets the Stage for India-Pakistan T20 World Cup ClashNew Delhi: Commentator Ravi Shastri's thunderous introduction to the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match in New York on Sunday left the internet abuzz with praise for his infectious enthusiasm.Ahead of the toss, Shastri delivered a captivating monologue, introducing the arch-rivals' clash that even floored both skippers, Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam. The duo were seen smiling together during Shastri's lengthy introduction.Shastri's introduction was a testament to his reputation as one of the greatest voices in world cricket. He described the match as "the greatest rivalry in the history of sport" and hailed the two teams as "the two most passionate cricketing nations on the planet."The commentator's words resonated with fans around the world, who took to social media to express their admiration. "Ravi Shastri's introduction was pure gold," tweeted one fan. "He captured the essence of this rivalry perfectly."Another fan wrote, "Shastri's commentary is always a treat, but this was something else. He set the stage for an unforgettable match."The match itself was delayed by rain, but the anticipation built by Shastri's introduction only intensified as the fans waited for the action to begin.India eventually won the toss and opted to bat first, looking to continue their winning streak in the tournament. Pakistan, on the other hand, will be eager to bounce back from their shock defeat to the USA in their opening match.The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the world's top cricketing nations. And with Ravi Shastri's commentary adding to the atmosphere, it's sure to be a memorable occasion for fans of the sport.

Wasim Akram Weighs In on Kohli-Gavaskar Spat, Emphasizes Mutual RespectFormer Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has expressed his views on the recent verbal altercation between Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Sunil Gavaskar during IPL 2024, highlighting the importance of mutual respect despite differences in opinion.Akram, known for his astute analysis, acknowledged the stature of both Kohli and Gavaskar in the cricketing world, describing them as "greats" and "proud Indians" with immense contributions to the sport. He emphasized that both individuals are highly respected figures in the cricketing fraternity.Reflecting on the contentious exchange, Akram stated, "Both are greats. Sunny bhai, as a cricketer, as a human being, I know him off the field. As a commentator, he has been doing it for God knows how many years. And coming to the great man, Virat Kohli, he is a top player, a modern great. In fact, he is an all-time great in history, given the kind of performances he has had. But I think Virat shouldn't have said it."Akram's comments shed light on the delicate balance between player critique and respect for commentators' roles in shaping public discourse around the game. He underscored that commentators, like Gavaskar, are integral to the cricketing ecosystem, offering valuable insights and analysis derived from years of experience in the sport."It is the commentators' job. If he got slow in a couple of matches and he [Gavaskar] said something, forget about it. Virat is not that kind of a person. Both are proud Indians; both are greats. It's OK; they both will move on pretty quickly. Don't think either will take it personally. They will be fine, I know. I am telling you now. I know them both very well," Akram reassured, emphasizing his confidence in the resilience and maturity of both individuals to overcome this disagreement.Akram's intervention serves as a reminder of the importance of mutual respect and understanding within the cricketing community. While differences in opinion may arise, it is crucial to maintain a level of decorum and respect for the contributions and perspectives of others.

Ian Bishop, the renowned West Indian cricket commentator, has recently found himself at the center of a social media controversy. A user on Twitter claimed that Bishop had compared Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant to Rajasthan Royals counterpart Sanju Samson, stating that Pant was a superior wicketkeeper.However, Bishop swiftly denied making such comments, responding to the user with a question: "You really think that's how I operate?" This is not the first time Bishop has had to clarify his stance on social media.Earlier in the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Bishop faced criticism for praising Virat Kohli's slow knock against Rajasthan Royals. Kohli had taken 39 balls to reach his half-century and 67 balls to reach triple figures, the joint slowest in IPL history.A fan expressed disappointment with Bishop's comments, stating that he had expected more from the commentator. Bishop apologized for his choice of words, acknowledging that his language needed to be more accurate in keeping with the format of the game.Despite the controversies, Bishop remains one of the most respected cricket commentators in the world. His insights and analysis are highly valued by fans and experts alike.Bishop's ability to provide balanced and informed commentary has earned him a reputation for fairness and objectivity. He is known for his ability to articulate complex cricketing concepts in a clear and concise manner.Bishop's contributions to the sport of cricket extend beyond commentary. He has also served as a mentor and coach to young cricketers, helping them develop their skills and knowledge of the game.

Virender Sehwag, the former Indian opener known for his witty remarks, recently made headlines with his hilarious commentary during the IPL 2024 match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. In a video that went viral on social media, Sehwag took a humorous jab at his former IPL team, Punjab Kings."When I joined Punjab, my strike rate dropped," Sehwag said on Star Sports. "They say you behave like the company you keep. And the company there was like that. They didn't win, they didn't play well, so my game also suffered."Sehwag played for Punjab Kings for two seasons before retiring after IPL 2015. During his IPL career, he scored 2728 runs in 104 matches at an impressive strike rate of 155.44. He was part of the Punjab team that finished runners-up in 2014 under the captaincy of George Bailey. Sehwag also served as Punjab's mentor from 2016 to 2018.Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and RCB are the only teams in IPL history yet to win the title. In their second match of the season, Punjab suffered a four-wicket defeat against RCB in Bengaluru, with Virat Kohli scoring a match-winning 77 off 49 balls.Sehwag's comments sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many fans praising his wit and humor. The video has been widely shared and has become a talking point among cricket enthusiasts.

Social media sensation Orry made a surprising appearance on the IPL 2024 commentary panel for the opening match between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Despite having no prior experience in cricket commentary, Orry's presence alongside renowned experts like Virender Sehwag and Suresh Raina sparked mixed reactions.Orry's inclusion was widely seen as an attempt to attract viewers and generate buzz. However, some questioned his qualifications as a cricket expert. On social media, fans expressed their skepticism, with one user tweeting, "Ye orry kaun sa cricket expert hai?" (Who is this Orry cricket expert?).Meanwhile, others defended Orry's presence, arguing that his popularity and social media reach could bring a fresh perspective to the commentary. They pointed to his ability to connect with a younger audience and his potential to make the game more accessible to new fans.In a related development, newly appointed Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad credited the franchise's unwavering support for his resurgence in form. Gaikwad had endured a difficult start to the season, scoring just five runs in his first three innings. However, CSK management assured him of their belief in his abilities, which gave him the confidence to turn things around.Gaikwad went on to win the Orange Cap in the 2021 season, scoring 635 runs at an average of 45.35. He has since become a key player for CSK, scoring over 1,700 runs in 52 matches.Gaikwad emphasized the importance of supporting young players and creating a positive environment within the team. He said, "I am trying to help younger players who are not able to get games, make sure they are in good and happy space and do not feel frustrated."