Cricket

Shubman Gill: A Rising Star with Limitless PotentialFormer Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has heaped praise on young batter Shubman Gill, highlighting his exceptional talent and potential for greatness. Karthik believes that Gill possesses the technical skills and work ethic to excel in all formats of the game.Gill's ability to hit sixes with precision and power has impressed Karthik. Unlike power hitters like Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell, Gill focuses on hitting the ball in the gaps for maximum distance. This unique technique demonstrates his exceptional hand-eye coordination and timing.Despite initial struggles after being moved to the No. 3 position in India's Test batting order, Gill has shown remarkable resilience and determination. He has scored three centuries in his last five Tests, showcasing his growing confidence and maturity in the role.Karthik attributes Gill's success to his flawless technique and outstanding work ethic. He believes that Gill has the potential to become a dominant force in world cricket. "Whenever I look at Shubman Gill, I see greatness in him," Karthik said. "The kind of shots he plays, how he gets on top of the ball, technically, there aren't many flaws."With Karthik's glowing endorsement, expectations are high for Gill to maintain his impressive form as India prepares for crucial upcoming matches. His ability to perform under pressure and adapt to different conditions will be key to his continued success.

Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has expressed his belief that head coach Gautam Gambhir's past aggressive behavior stems from a desire to protect his players. Karthik believes this approach will benefit the team, emphasizing that Gambhir does not display anger unnecessarily."His aggression has generally come out in protection of his players and that is something the current lot of players will enjoy. Knowing him, he is not someone who gets angry for the heck of it," Karthik told reporters on the sidelines of a Legends League Cricket event.Karthik also acknowledged Gambhir's inexperience in coaching Test cricket, which may be a concern as he prepares for his first assignment with the series against Bangladesh in Chennai on Thursday."He has been a part of numerous T20 tournaments. But this Test series will be completely new for him as a coach and it must be playing at the back of his mind," Karthik said.However, Karthik expressed confidence in Gambhir's ability to navigate the challenges of Test cricket."He is someone who has navigated through tough waters. He's got the acumen to understand the pulse of the game, which is extremely important as a coach," Karthik said.Karthik also spoke about India's upcoming series against Bangladesh, highlighting the challenges for both teams. He noted Bangladesh's recent success against Pakistan but pointed out the difficulties of playing against the Indian team at home."It will start with a lot of confidence from Bangladesh. (For India) it's about understanding that they are playing a slightly different Bangladesh team," he said."But, India in India is a different kettle of fish to beat. It's not going to be in any way as easy as compared to going outside and beating other countries in their backyard," he said.He also discussed the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, predicting a tough competition."The BGT will be a challenge for Team India. The current Australian team is in form and (is) a pretty well-oiled unit. It's not by chance that they won the World Test Championship," he said."It will be tough for India. But considering the grit and resilience that India has, it will be a wonderful series to watch," he added.

Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter, has strongly advocated for the inclusion of young pacer Harshit Rana in the Indian Test team. Rana's impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Duleep Trophy have caught Karthik's attention, who believes the 22-year-old deserves a spot in the national side.Rana emerged as a breakout star in the IPL 2023 season, claiming 19 wickets in 13 matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate good pace made him a key contributor to KKR's third IPL title triumph.Karthik, who played alongside Rana at KKR, was particularly impressed by the youngster's performance in the Duleep Trophy. Rana took four wickets in the first innings of the first round match against India C and another four-fer in the second round against India A.Despite his impressive form, Rana was not included in India's squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh. Karthik expressed his surprise at this omission, stating that Rana could have been considered for the first Test."I just thought, could there have been a spot for Harshit? I felt he bowled well and there is something really special about him," Karthik said on Cricbuzz.Karthik believes that Rana's unique skills, including his ability to generate backspin and kiss the pitch, would make him a valuable asset in Australian conditions. India is scheduled to tour Australia later this year for five Tests, and Karthik urged the selectors to pick Rana for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy."Harshit Rana. He has special skills, a good backspin on the ball, kisses off the pitch, and is a very talented fast bowler. I really wish they take him to Australia because he will make a difference there," he added.The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has opted for four seamers in the squad for the first Test against Bangladesh: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, and Yash Dayal. However, Karthik's comments suggest that Rana could be in contention for a place in the Test team in the near future.

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has expressed skepticism about Bangladesh's ability to challenge India in the upcoming Test series, despite Bangladesh's recent success in Pakistan. Speaking on India's prospects on Cricbuzz, Karthik emphasized that winning against India on home soil is a significant challenge."I personally don't think so. I think beating India in India is a humongous task. Bangladesh has played well in Pakistan. But no, I don't think there will be much trouble for India to beat Bangladesh," Karthik remarked.Discussing India's squad selection, Karthik highlighted the possibility of including young pacer Harshit Rana. However, he noted that the team already has four established medium pacers."Could there be a chance for Harshit Rana? I thought he bowled very well, something very special about him. They already have four medium pacers, who are good medium pacers. So, it's a good team," Karthik said.Karthik also suggested that India might prepare pace-friendly pitches for the series, which would help against Bangladesh and serve as preparation for the upcoming series against Australia."I get the feeling India's going to play on slightly pace-oriented pitches, knowing that it's a good way to beat Bangladesh. Also, they will be preparing for the Australian Test series. I think they will only play with two spinners—Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja—followed by three fast bowlers," he explained.Regarding KL Rahul's role in the team, Karthik praised his improvement as a wicketkeeper but voiced concerns about the physical demands of keeping in Test matches."KL Rahul is a very good keeper, who has improved a lot. And I don't think it's fair to call him a part-time wicketkeeper anymore," Karthik stated. He added, "Keeping in Test cricket is hard work across five days, and he's had his struggles with injuries. He has a back he needs to take care of in the long run. So, I don't think it's fair to entrust him with the keeping spot. But I genuinely feel he will make it as a batter and do really well this season."With the series against Bangladesh approaching, Team India appears well-prepared with strong batting and bowling units.

Former Indian wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik has suggested Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant as potential successors to Rohit Sharma as India's all-format captain. Karthik believes that both players have the potential and experience to lead the team across all formats.Karthik's choice of Gill and Pant stems from their impressive performances and leadership qualities. Gill, the 23-year-old opener, has captained the Gujarat Titans to victory in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has also led India A. Pant, the 25-year-old wicket-keeper batter, has captained the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and has led India in Tests and T20Is.Karthik's decision to overlook Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul is based on their injury concerns and limited experience as captains. Bumrah, the star fast bowler, has been plagued by injuries in recent months, while Rahul, the vice-captain, has not captained India in any format.Meanwhile, India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has emphasized the importance of domestic tournaments like the Duleep Trophy in his development as a cricketer. Jaiswal, who has already made his mark on the international stage, believes that these tournaments provide him with valuable experience and help him hone his skills.As India prepares for the upcoming red-ball season, Jaiswal is aware of the stakes involved, especially with the World Test Championship (WTC) in sight. He stressed the importance of every match and the need to perform consistently to ensure India remains competitive on the global stage.India will be playing a two-match Test and three-game T20I series against Bangladesh at home from September 19 to October 12. The series will provide India with an opportunity to fine-tune their preparations for the WTC and the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2023.

Virat Kohli vs. Joe Root: Dinesh Karthik's Choice for the Best Test BatterFormer Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has sparked a debate by choosing Virat Kohli over Joe Root as the best Test batter of the current generation. Despite Root's superior statistical record, Karthik's preference stems from his close association with Kohli and his unwavering belief in his ability to perform under pressure.Karthik, who has shared the dressing room with Kohli for over a decade, acknowledges Root's impressive statistics but expresses a personal bias towards Kohli. He highlights Kohli's exceptional ability to excel in crucial moments and big series."Numbers will tell you it's Joe Root, but my heart, the fact that he (Kohli) is someone that I've seen play in close quarters for the longest time now, over a decade. I know how he loves playing those big moments, big series. And if somebody asks him questions, he will come back to you with answers so strong that you will be like, 'Wow, why did I even ask that question'," Karthik explained.While Root has recently surpassed Alastair Cook to become England's leading century-maker in Test cricket with 34 centuries, Kohli has faced a decline in form. However, Karthik's admiration for Kohli is rooted in his ability to perform when it is most needed."If I were given a choice of who would bat for my life, it would be Kohli. No doubt," Karthik added, emphasizing Kohli's dependability under pressure.Kohli's aggressive style and leadership in key matches have earned him widespread praise. Despite recent challenges, Karthik's support reflects a belief in Kohli's capability to win matches.

Dinesh Karthik, the former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, has announced his participation in the upcoming edition of the Legends League Cricket (LLC), following in the footsteps of Shikhar Dhawan. Karthik, who retired from all forms of cricket in June, will now embark on a new chapter in his illustrious career.Known for his explosive middle-order batting, agile wicket-keeping skills, and recent success as a commentator, Karthik's entry into the LLC marks a fresh start. The 39-year-old expressed his excitement about joining the league, stating, "Playing at the Legends League Cricket is definitely something I am looking forward to after my retirement. I am up to the task both mentally and physically and look forward to playing the brand of cricket I have always enjoyed."Throughout his career, Karthik represented India in 180 matches across three formats, accumulating 3,463 runs and 172 dismissals. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he had a remarkable journey spanning 17 years, amassing 4,842 runs in 257 matches and representing six different franchises.Raman Raheja, Co-founder of LLC, welcomed Karthik to the league, saying, "We are very excited to have Dinesh Karthik join us. His flair and his penchant to finish matches and entertain the crowd will undoubtedly add value to the Legends League Cricket."The upcoming season of the LLC is scheduled to kick off in September 2024, featuring a roster of retired cricket icons. The LLC auction will take place on August 29 in New Delhi, where franchises will compete for the top players from both Indian and international cricket.Karthik's participation in the LLC is a testament to his continued passion for the game and his desire to entertain fans once again. His presence in the league will undoubtedly add excitement and star power to the competition.

Jasprit Bumrah's Captaincy Prospects: Dinesh Karthik Raises ConcernsFormer Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has expressed reservations about the possibility of Jasprit Bumrah becoming the captain of the Indian national cricket team. While acknowledging Bumrah's leadership qualities, Karthik emphasized the importance of preserving his fitness and avoiding the potential risks associated with the added responsibility of captaincy.Karthik highlighted the physical demands of fast bowling and the need to protect Bumrah for crucial matches. He described Bumrah as a "Kohinoor diamond" for Indian cricket, whose well-being must be carefully managed. "Being a fast bowler, especially at Bumrah's level, it is so important to protect him and play him in important matches," Karthik said.He further explained that burdening Bumrah with captaincy could increase the risk of injury, potentially jeopardizing his availability for important matches. "To burden him with captaincy and then see him end up playing a lot of series and injuring himself would be a huge problem," Karthik added.Karthik's comments come amidst discussions about Bumrah's potential as India's captain following Rohit Sharma's retirement from the T20 format. However, the T20I captaincy was ultimately handed to Suryakumar Yadav, Bumrah's teammate from the Mumbai Indians.Bumrah has previously led India as a stand-in captain during the one-off Test against England at Edgbaston in 2022 and also captained India to a 2-0 series victory in a three-match T20I series against Ireland last year. Despite his success in these limited captaincy stints, Karthik's concerns underscore the importance of carefully managing Bumrah's workload to maximize his effectiveness and longevity in international cricket.

Dinesh Karthik's All-Time India XI: A Mistake RectifiedFormer Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has clarified his omission of legendary wicket-keeper and captain MS Dhoni from his all-time India XI across formats. Karthik initially left out Dhoni, sparking controversy among cricket enthusiasts.In a recent interview, Karthik admitted that the omission was an oversight. "I made a big mistake," he confessed. "I realized only when the episode came out." He explained that amidst various considerations, he forgot to include a wicketkeeper, leading to the assumption that Rahul Dravid would take on that role."Can you believe being a wicketkeeper, I forgot to have a wicketkeeper? It is a blunder," Karthik added.Karthik, who has played as a wicketkeeper for India, lavished praise on Dhoni, calling him "one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game." He clarified that if given the chance to redo his team, Dhoni would be his automatic choice for the No. 7 spot and would be the captain of any Indian team, irrespective of the format.Karthik's all-time India XI across formats features a mix of India's finest talents. The lineup includes Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma as openers, followed by Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in the crucial No. 3 and No. 4 positions. Virat Kohli is at No. 5, adding further depth and firepower to the batting lineup.For the all-rounder slots, Karthik chose Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja, both known for their match-winning abilities with both bat and ball. The spin department features Ravichandran Ashwin and Anil Kumble, two of India's most successful spinners, while the pace attack is led by Jasprit Bumrah and Zaheer Khan. Karthik also named Harbhajan Singh as the 12th man, recognizing his significant contributions to Indian cricket.Despite the initial mix-up, Karthik's selections underscore his respect for the greats of Indian cricket and highlight the depth of talent the country has produced over the years.