Cricket

The Indian cricket team has long been divided over the question of who is the fittest player in the squad. While Ravindra Jadeja has been praised by experts worldwide, Virat Kohli has consistently impressed over the years and remains a fan favorite. However, India's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's recent answer to this question has sparked a heated debate on social media.When asked to name the fittest cricketer in India, Bumrah acknowledged that Kohli is the expected choice but boldly put forward his own name. He explained that he always tries to promote fast bowlers in such situations.Bumrah's response has ignited a fierce war of words among fans. Some have criticized him for arrogance, pointing to his injury history and lack of success in major ICC tournaments. Others have defended Bumrah, praising his confidence and determination to stand up for himself.Meanwhile, India's fast bowler Akash Deep has heaped praise on Bumrah, describing him as "uniquely crafted by God." Deep, who recently made his Test debut, admitted that it is difficult to emulate Bumrah's actions due to their complexity.Deep also revealed that he draws inspiration from various bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, but emphasized that he does not focus on following any one bowler too closely.The debate over Bumrah's fitness claims has highlighted the importance of physical conditioning in modern cricket. Fast bowlers, in particular, face immense physical demands, and their ability to maintain peak fitness is crucial for their success.

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma is gearing up for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which begins on September 19 in Chennai. The 37-year-old Sharma has been sharing his intense fitness workouts on Instagram, giving fans a look at his rigorous training routine. Known for both his leadership and consistent performance, Sharma is focusing on staying in top shape ahead of the critical Test season.Rohit Sharma recently retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. This win ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought for India. Following this remarkable achievement, Sharma announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game, leaving on a high note.As the Test series against Bangladesh approaches, Sharma has been dedicating his efforts to maintaining peak physical condition. Sharma's recent Instagram video showed not only his demanding fitness regimen but also some fun moments shared with friends during training. This balance of intense preparation and light-hearted moments captures Sharma's approach to both his career and personal life.Sharma's fitness routine includes a variety of exercises, including weightlifting, cardio, and agility drills. He also emphasizes proper nutrition and rest to ensure his body is fully recovered and ready for the challenges ahead.The Indian team, under Sharma's leadership, is aiming to continue their dominance in Test cricket. They are currently ranked number one in the ICC Test rankings and will be looking to extend their lead over the other top teams.Sharma's focus on fitness and preparation is a testament to his commitment to the team and his desire to succeed at the highest level. With his experience, leadership, and unwavering determination, Sharma is poised to lead India to another successful Test series.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh. The veteran opener has been spotted working out extensively at the newly renovated gym at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) headquarters.Sharma, who was exempted from the ongoing Duleep Trophy by the BCCI, is focused on enhancing his fitness ahead of the crucial Test season. India is looking to make a strong start in their red-ball assignments, and Sharma's leadership will be vital in achieving this goal.The 37-year-old was last seen in action during India's three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in August. Despite his consistent form, India lost the series 2-0, marking Sri Lanka's first ODI series win over India in 27 years.Sharma's focus on fitness underscores his determination to lead from the front in the upcoming Bangladesh series. The veteran opener is known for his class and experience, and his presence in the team will be a major boost for India.The Bangladesh series will be a crucial test for India, as they look to build momentum ahead of the World Test Championship final in June 2023. Sharma's leadership and fitness will be key factors in India's quest for success.

With a packed Test schedule looming, Indian captain Rohit Sharma is diligently preparing to maintain his fitness. Exempted from the Duleep Trophy, Rohit has been engaging in rigorous workouts under the guidance of assistant coach Abhishek Nayar.India's Test calendar includes 10 matches between September and January, starting with a two-Test series against Bangladesh in September-October. This will be followed by a three-Test series against New Zealand and a grueling five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.To ensure his readiness for this demanding schedule, Rohit has been focusing on his physical conditioning. Images circulating on social media show him running in a park and posing in a gym alongside Nayar and Dhawal Kulkarni.While most of India's Test regulars will participate in the Duleep Trophy, Rohit, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin have been exempted. Kohli has been spending time with his family in London during his break from cricket.Rohit's dedication to fitness is crucial for India's success in the upcoming Test season. His leadership and batting prowess will be vital as the team aims to perform well in the World Test Championship cycle and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia.

MS Dhoni, the legendary former Indian cricket captain, has sparked speculation about his potential return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025. Despite retiring from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni has remained an active player in the IPL, leading the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to four titles.However, a knee injury plagued Dhoni throughout the 2023 IPL season, forcing him to wear a knee brace. Concerns about his fitness emerged, but a recent video clip on social media has allayed those fears. The 43-year-old was seen hitting a jump smash at lightning speed on a badminton court, showcasing his remarkable fitness.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly considering reintroducing the provision for franchises to retain retired international players as uncapped players. This rule was abolished in 2021, but its reinstatement could pave the way for Dhoni's return to CSK as an uncapped player.CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan has denied that the franchise has requested this rule change, but the BCCI has indicated that it may be implemented. If the rule is reinstated, CSK could retain Dhoni without using one of their retention slots, giving them greater flexibility in building their squad.Dhoni's availability for the 2025 IPL season remains uncertain, but his recent display of fitness has fueled speculation about his potential return. The mega auction will precede the season, and Dhoni's decision will be closely watched by fans and franchises alike.

After being overlooked for the T20I captaincy, former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has advised star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to prioritize playing time and draw inspiration from his ICC T20 World Cup heroics to maintain peak fitness.Pandya, who served as Rohit Sharma's deputy during India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign, was considered a frontrunner to succeed Rohit as captain. However, he was named only as a player for the ongoing Sri Lanka tour, with Suryakumar Yadav appointed as T20I captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain.Shastri attributed Pandya's fitness concerns as the primary reason for his exclusion from the captaincy. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized the need for a consistently available player, which tipped the scales against Pandya.In an interview with The ICC Review, Shastri urged Pandya to play as much as possible to regain match fitness. He advised Pandya to participate in all available T20I matches and consider playing in one-day games if he feels fit enough.However, Shastri stressed the importance of bowling consistently for Pandya to be considered for one-day cricket. He noted that a player who can only bowl three overs in a one-day game would disrupt the team's balance.Pandya has a history of major injuries dating back to 2018, including a stress fracture and back surgery. He also sustained an ankle injury during the Cricket World Cup 2023.Despite these setbacks, Pandya showcased his exceptional talent in the T20 World Cup, scoring crucial runs and taking important wickets. He played a pivotal role in India's victory in the final, taking the wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in the last over.Shastri believes that Pandya's recent performances should motivate him to regain full fitness. He emphasized that Pandya understands his body better than anyone and should be inspired by his World Cup heroics to prioritize his fitness.

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has advised star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to prioritize fitness and play as much cricket as possible to regain his peak performance. Shastri's comments come after Pandya was overlooked for the T20I captaincy in favor of Suryakumar Yadav.Pandya's fitness issues have been a recurring concern, dating back to a stress fracture in 2018. Despite recovering from surgery, his back problems resurfaced, necessitating another surgery. More recently, he sustained an ankle injury during the Cricket World Cup 2023.Shastri believes that Pandya's recent performances in the T20 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India's victory, should inspire him to regain his fitness. He emphasized the importance of match fitness, especially for all-rounders who need to bowl consistently."If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well," Shastri said.Shastri also acknowledged Pandya's understanding of his body and expressed confidence that he would be motivated to get back to full fitness. He urged Pandya to play as much T20I cricket as possible to maintain his match sharpness."I think it is up to him really, more than anything else," Shastri added. "He understands his body better than anyone. And I am sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going."Pandya's fitness will be crucial for India's upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka and the World Cup later this year. If he can overcome his injury concerns and regain his peak form, he will be a valuable asset to the team.

Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has expressed his belief that Hardik Pandya should not be disheartened by his exclusion from leadership roles in Team India. Uthappa believes that the decision was made with Pandya's long-term interests in mind."If I was in Hardik's place, I would feel taken care of to a certain extent," Uthappa said in an interview with NDTV. "If I am 34 or 35 years old, and I am someone who has been injury-prone throughout my career, and a certain responsibility has been taken away from me with the mindset of extending my career, it has given me the best chance of offering my service to my country, for as long as possible."Uthappa emphasized that the absence of captaincy responsibilities could prolong Pandya's international career. "Knowing Hardik Pandya on a certain level personally, I would say he'll be someone saying 'fine, their perspective is also right'. They want a player of my quality and caliber to serve the country for as long as possible, I would love to do that as well," Uthappa added."If you ask me between the two what would I pick, I would say representing my country and winning as many world cup championships, irrespective of the fact whether I am the captain or just a player," Uthappa continued.Pandya's exclusion from leadership roles was attributed to his fitness and availability concerns, according to chief selector Ajit Agarkar. However, Uthappa believes that the decision was ultimately made to protect Pandya's long-term health and performance."I think it's a great decision for Hardik Pandya," Uthappa said. "It's a great decision for Indian cricket. It's a great decision for the future of Indian cricket. I think it's a great decision for Hardik Pandya's career."Pandya is currently part of India's squad for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka.

Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the captain of the Indian T20 team for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka, which will feature three T20 Internationals and three ODIs starting on July 27. The decision was made based on Yadav's fitness, consistent availability, and positive feedback from the dressing room, according to chief selector Ajit Agarkar.Agarkar emphasized the importance of having a captain who can participate in all games, especially considering the team's recent struggles with injuries. Yadav's fitness and reliability made him the ideal choice, as he is one of the most consistent T20 batters in the world."He is one of the best T20 batters, and as captain, he is likely to play all the games," Agarkar explained. "We think he is a deserving captain and we will see how he fits into the role."The decision to appoint Yadav over Hardik Pandya was also influenced by Pandya's ongoing fitness concerns. While Pandya possesses unique skills, his availability has been limited due to injuries."Hardik's skill-sets are difficult to find, and fitness is difficult to find," Agarkar said. "We have got a bit more time, and we can look at a few things."Agarkar also revealed that feedback from the dressing room played a role in the decision-making process. The team's overall sentiment was considered, indicating that Yadav has the support of his teammates.The T20 series against Sri Lanka will provide Yadav with an opportunity to prove his leadership abilities. He will lead a 15-member squad that includes several experienced players, such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Dinesh Karthik.Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20 internationals after leading India to the World Cup triumph in the West Indies, will return as the skipper of the one-day international team. The ODIs will be held on August 2, 4, and 7 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.