Cricket

Sanju Samson's recent scintillating form in T20 Internationals has solidified his position as India's go-to opener, according to former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik. Samson's promotion to the opening slot by India's new captain Suryakumar Yadav has proven to be a game-changer, with the wicketkeeper-batter delivering consistent performances at the top of the order.Karthik believes that Samson's recent success has cemented his spot as an opener, and that the duo of Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal could be India's opening combination for the foreseeable future in T20Is. "I think he [Samson] has cemented his spot as an opener. Yashasvi Jaiswal and him will be the openers at least for some time to come in the T20 format," Karthik stated.Former India pacer Zaheer Khan highlighted the fierce competition for spots in India's T20I top-order, which he referred to as a "traffic jam" of talented batters from positions 1 to 7. He noted that this depth is a positive sign for the team's future but added that consistent performances will be crucial for players to retain their spots."Performance speaks for itself. Now, from 1-7 there is a traffic jam. That's a very positive sign for Indian cricket in this format. So for anyone, it is going to be only and only about consistent performances. No one will be able to take their eyes off the ball. You've got to be focused through and through," Zaheer explained.Zaheer also pointed to a specific moment during Samson's recent knock of 107 against South Africa in Durban, where Samson played a remarkable shot off Keshav Maharaj, showcasing his skill and maturity as a top-order batter. "The shot he hit against Keshav Maharaj was something special. He was not in the best position to play it, he was way off, but he still managed to time it so well that it went all the way for six," Zaheer recalled.Karthik further analyzed the shot, emphasizing the evolution in Samson's game, especially in his ability to hit sixes. He explained how Samson's composure and technical adjustments have made him a standout performer."He has made a lot of technical changes, especially suited to this format. He focused a lot on six-hitting. Against Keshav Maharaj, he stepped out but missed the length of the ball. Maharaj did brilliantly to beat him in the air, but Sanju held his position and waited on the shot, hitting it over covers. That's a man who, even when he misses the length, doesn't panic and holds that extra second. That's a very tough skill to have, but he does it very well. That's what makes him very special," Karthik explained.With his recent performances, Samson seems to have found his groove as India's go-to opener in T20Is, further strengthening the team's options at the top.

As the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction approaches, teams are strategizing their purchases. Dinesh Karthik, batting coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has predicted that South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee could command a hefty sum.Coetzee, currently part of the South African squad facing India in a T20I series, impressed in the second match. He dismissed opener Abhishek Sharma and contributed 19 runs off nine balls, helping his team secure victory.Karthik believes Coetzee's versatility and impressive performances will spark a bidding war at the auction, scheduled for November 24 and 25. "He's a thinking cricketer who has worked on his batting. He's not just a one-trick pony," Karthik said.Coetzee was acquired by Mumbai Indians (MI) for INR 5 crore in IPL 2024, taking 13 wickets in 10 games. However, he was released ahead of the mega auction.RCB, with the second-highest purse of INR 83 cr, has retained Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) mentor Zaheer Khan also praised Coetzee's batting prowess and dedication to his role.Coetzee's performances in the ongoing T20I series have further enhanced his reputation. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a valuable asset for any IPL franchise.Teams will be eager to secure Coetzee's services at the mega auction, and it remains to be seen how high the bidding will go for the talented South African all-rounder.

Rohit Sharma's recent batting performances have raised concerns among cricket experts, particularly after India's 3-0 Test series defeat to New Zealand. The Indian captain has managed only 133 runs in his last 10 Test innings, prompting scrutiny of his technique and approach.Former teammate Dinesh Karthik believes that Rohit needs to adjust his aggressive style to succeed in Test cricket. "In Test cricket, intent is getting him into a safe space where he feels he can use that when in trouble," Karthik said. "It's not a method where he's using it like he's using it in white ball cricket."Karthik suggests that Rohit should trust his technique and adopt a more balanced approach. "The one thing that Rohit Sharma is not doing, which he did very well when he took up his role as an opener, is trusting his technique," Karthik added. "He went to England, he left a lot of balls. He decided that he can play shots. But what he'd do is, anything outside the off-stump, he would let it go. 'I am going to have the mental strength to bat long.'"Rohit's Test average in 2024 stands at a modest 33, indicating a need for improvement. The Indian team will be hoping that he can rediscover his form and lead them to success in upcoming Test matches.

Rishabh Pant's missed run-out opportunity on the final ball of the 22nd over during New Zealand's first innings in the third Test at the Wankhede Stadium has drawn criticism from former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik.On the opening day of the game, Daryl Mitchell played a reverse sweep on the bowling of Washington Sundar. He ran the first one hard and asked his partner Will Young for a second run. Pant collected the ball at the striker's end but failed to hit the stumps. What he failed to notice was that Young was still around the halfway mark when he collected the ball. A good throw at the non-striker's end could have caught the New Zealand batter short.Karthik pointed out that Pant needed game awareness and should have taken one glove off to throw the ball at the other end. "They (India) had their opportunity in the form of a run-out. Have a look at Will Young, he is thinking just a single. Rishabh Pant is the man you need to watch out for. He didn't remove his glove and you can still see Will Young scrambling. If he had removed his gloves, have a look at where Young is and a throw down the non-striker's end would have definitely been a much better chance. There was so much time and because Rishabh Pant didn't remove his gloves there, he didn't even have the opportunity to go at it at the other end. As a keeper, it is very important to be aware of what's happening. And (I) must admit that Rishabh Pant did miss an opportunity there for a run-out," said Karthik on-air.India ended the opening day at 86 for 4, trailing New Zealand by 149 runs. India were solidly put at 78 for 1 at one stage but they lost three wickets in 8 balls to hand advantage to New Zealand. Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja claimed his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket as India made a remarkable comeback to bowl out New Zealand for 235 runs. With four wickets to his credit, Washington Sundar also helped the hosts' cause. Daryl Mitchell top-scored for New Zealand with a terrific 82, while Will Young hit 71 after New Zealand skipper Tom Latham won the toss and opted to bat.

As the Indian cricket team faces a potential whitewash against New Zealand, having lost the first two matches of the series, captain Rohit Sharma has received a bold suggestion to rest star pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Despite being widely regarded as the country's finest pace bowler, Bumrah has struggled to make an impact on the spin-friendly pitches against New Zealand.Former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has urged the Indian team management to give Bumrah a break ahead of the upcoming tour of Australia. "Jasprit Bumrah definitely needs a rest without a doubt," Karthik told Cricbuzz. "That is happening, and you will see Mohammed Siraj come in."Karthik believes that Bumrah's absence will not significantly alter India's batting lineup, despite their poor performance in the first two matches. However, he anticipates that Siraj will replace Bumrah in the bowling attack."I can't think of any other change unless someone has a niggle," Karthik added. "I don't see any reason why the batters who played this game or the bowlers should not get an opportunity."Washington Sundar emerged as India's top performer with the ball in the Pune Test, which was dominated by spinners. However, India failed to level the series, suffering a second consecutive loss to trail 0-2.While the Indian team is unlikely to make drastic changes ahead of the must-win Test in Wankhede, some adjustments are expected to be made to the XI, keeping the World Test Championship in mind.Karthik acknowledged the disappointment of the defeats but emphasized the need to remain focused on the upcoming match. "The loss and the disappointment of the defeat are still weighing very heavily on my mind," he said. "I am not able to think very clearly about what the XI will be. It's too short a notice to be honest. But if I had to think straight away, I would say rest Bumrah and bring back Siraj."

Virat Kohli's struggles in Test cricket continue to raise concerns, with the former Indian captain managing just 88 runs in four innings against New Zealand in the ongoing home series. The majority of his runs (70) came in a single innings, highlighting his ongoing difficulties in the red-ball format.Former teammate Dinesh Karthik has suggested that Kohli may need to return to domestic cricket to regain his form. "What he needs to do is probably go back to domestic cricket," Karthik said on a Cricbuzz show. "He is a man who is searching for answers."India's 113-run defeat in Pune confirmed New Zealand's historic maiden Test series victory in India. Kohli was dismissed by left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner in both innings for scores of 1 and 17.Karthik believes that left-arm spinners pose a significant threat to Kohli. "Virat Kohli has not had it easy," he said. "The series has not been good to him; (in) three out of four innings he has disappointed. It's obviously a recurring pattern where spinners have troubled him."Kohli's Test record against spin has been underwhelming in recent years. "Virat Kohli's Test record in the last 2-3 years has not been great against spin," Karthik said.The third and final Test of the series begins in Mumbai on November 1. Kohli will be hoping to end the series on a high and silence his critics.

India's recent Test series defeat to New Zealand has sparked a debate about the responsibility of senior players and the role of coach Gautam Gambhir. Former wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik believes the onus lies with the experienced players, while Sanjay Manjrekar defends Gambhir's minimal influence on the team's performance.Karthik emphasizes that senior players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma should take ownership of the loss. He acknowledges their poor performance and expects them to introspect and identify areas for improvement. Karthik believes they have the courage to face criticism and will strive to rectify their mistakes.Manjrekar, on the other hand, argues that the coach has a limited impact on the team's performance. He credits Gambhir for selecting Washington Sundar, but questions the decision to send him ahead of Sarfaraz Khan. Manjrekar believes such tactical errors should be avoided and that Rohit Sharma should focus on the overall quality of players rather than match-ups.Former India captain Anil Kumble suggests that Kohli's absence from domestic matches may have hindered his preparation for the Test series. He believes that game situations provide a better advantage than practice and that Kohli could have benefited from playing earlier.The defeat has raised concerns about India's Test cricket future. Karthik urges the senior players to take responsibility and work towards improving the team's performance. Manjrekar emphasizes the need for tactical adjustments and a focus on player quality. Kumble highlights the importance of match practice for players like Kohli.

The Abu Dhabi T10, a fast-paced and exciting cricket tournament, is set to return in 2024 with a star-studded lineup. The tournament, which will expand to a ten-team league, has attracted some of the biggest names in the sport.Rashid Khan, the Afghan spin sensation, and Jos Buttler, the England wicketkeeper-batter, are among the high-profile players who have signed up for the tournament. Khan will join the Bangla Tigers, while Buttler will represent the Deccan Gladiators.Other notable signings include Dinesh Karthik, who has joined the Tigers after retiring from international cricket. Karthik, who is known for his explosive batting, will be a valuable addition to the Tigers' lineup.The defending champions, New York Strikers, have retained their core of Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, and Akeal Hosein. The Strikers have also added Matheesha Pathirana, the Sri Lankan fast bowler, to their squad.The Deccan Gladiators have retained Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, and Maheesh Theekshana. They have also signed Marcus Stoinis, the Australian all-rounder, who will add depth to their batting and bowling.The Abu Dhabi T10 will also feature some of the most exciting young talents in the game. Finn Allen, the New Zealand opener, will join the Northern Warriors, while Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand fast bowler, will represent Team Abu Dhabi.The tournament will run from November 21 to December 2, avoiding an overlap with other major cricket tournaments. This will allow players to participate in the Abu Dhabi T10 without missing out on other commitments.The Abu Dhabi T10 is a major boost for cricket in the United Arab Emirates. The tournament has helped to raise the profile of the sport in the region and has attracted some of the biggest names in the game.

MS Dhoni's 'Uncapped' Status: Dinesh Karthik Endorses IPL's DecisionFormer Indian wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has expressed his unwavering support for the IPL governing body's decision to allow MS Dhoni to play as an 'uncapped' cricketer in the upcoming season. This move, enabled by new retention rules, allows players who have not represented India in the past five years to be retained at a significantly lower price.Karthik believes that this rule was specifically crafted for Dhoni, who has been an integral part of the IPL's success. "Everybody talks about it. This rule is made for one man and I am for it through and through," he told Cricbuzz. "This man has been such a major part of what this IPL has been about."Karthik emphasized Dhoni's impact on the league's popularity and financial success. "You can ask any TV broadcaster and you will get the answer that when this man steps on the field, the ratings go up. This is a fact. If you are going to do something that is going to help the league, why not?"The new retention rules define an 'uncapped' Indian player as one who has not played in the starting XI of an international match (Test, ODI, or T20I) or does not have a Central Contract with the BCCI in the past five years. Dhoni, who retired from international cricket in 2020, last played for India in July 2019.Karthik believes that the rule is fair and beneficial to all teams. "If everybody is in a happy place - be it BCCI, be it any of the teams, be it how the league has performed over the years and how it has kept players so happy over the last 15-18 years, this man has played a major role," he said.The IPL's decision to allow Dhoni to play as an 'uncapped' cricketer has sparked mixed reactions. Some critics argue that it undermines the spirit of the retention rules, while others view it as a necessary exception for a player of Dhoni's stature.Regardless of the differing opinions, it is clear that Dhoni remains a highly valued asset for the Chennai Super Kings and the IPL as a whole. His presence on the field is sure to generate excitement and boost viewership, further solidifying the league's position as one of the most popular sporting events in the world.