Cricket

Prithvi Shaw, the enigmatic opening batter for Mumbai, has been dropped from the squad for their upcoming Ranji Trophy Group A match against Tripura. The decision was made after a meeting between the selectors and the coach, who discussed areas where Shaw needs to improve, including his fitness.Shaw has struggled for form this season, scoring just 139 runs in six innings at the top of Mumbai's order. His fitness has also been a concern since he returned from a knee injury earlier this year.The Mumbai selectors have recalled veteran Akhil Herwadkar, who last played for Mumbai in November 2018. Herwadkar will compete with Angkrish Raghuvanshi for the opening slot alongside Ayush Mhatre.Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav (personal commitments) and Tanush Kotian (India A duty) will also miss the next game. Left-arm spinner Karsh Kothari has been recalled to the squad after a hiatus.The Mumbai squad for the match against Tripura is as follows:* Ajinkya Rahane (Capt.)* Ayush Mhatre* Angkrish Raghuvanshi* Akhil Herwadkar* Shreyas Iyer* Siddhesh Lad* Suryansh Shedge* Hardik Tamore (wk)* Sidhaant Addhatrao (wk)* Shams Mulani* Karsh Kothari* Himanshu Singh* Shardul Thakur* Mohit Avasthi* Juned Khan* Royston Dias

India's pace spearhead Prasidh Krishna's fitness concerns have resurfaced after he sat out the third day of Karnataka's Ranji Trophy match against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. The 28-year-old, who was recently named as a traveling reserve for India's upcoming Test series against New Zealand, had bowled only eight overs on the opening day of the match.Krishna's absence on day three raised eyebrows, especially considering his recent injury history. He had missed eight months of action due to a quadriceps injury sustained in January during Karnataka's previous Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat.Sources close to the team indicate that Krishna experienced some discomfort while running on the rain-battered outfield at the Holkar Stadium. The outfield conditions were challenging for all players, leading to the cancellation of an entire day's play on Saturday.Krishna's fitness is a major concern for the Indian team management ahead of their five-match tour of Australia starting late next month. The speedster is highly rated by the Indian think-tank, and his form and physical well-being are crucial for India's chances in the upcoming series.Karnataka missed Krishna's services badly on day three, as they struggled to bowl out Madhya Pradesh and secure the first-innings lead. The match is now evenly poised, with both teams having a chance to win.Krishna's fitness will be closely monitored in the coming days. If he is unable to recover in time for the Test series against New Zealand, it could force the Indian team to make a late change to their squad.

Azam Khan, the Pakistani batter, has been making waves in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with his powerful shots and game-changing abilities. However, his career has been marred by concerns about his fitness levels, which have also contributed to his exclusion from the national team.Moin Khan, Azam's father and a former wicketkeeper-batter for Pakistan, has criticized Ramiz Raja, the ex-chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), for hindering his son's progress. Moin believes that Raja's decision to exclude Azam from the squad prior to the T20 World Cup in 2021 was a major setback."In the 2022 (2021) World Cup, Azam was also selected for the team, but Ramiz Raja dropped him. At that time, if the chief selector had made a wrong selection, he should have been removed, but they didn't have the courage, and as a result, they demoralized a young player," Moin told Cricket Pakistan.Moin also expressed his disapproval regarding the choice to drop Azam from the squad after a single game. The promising wicketkeeper-batsman failed to score in the match against USA, which resulted in Pakistan's unexpected loss."I watched the entire World Cup and the matches leading up to it, and it seemed like Azam was the number one choice for wicketkeeping and batting. Then suddenly, after just one match, the entire strategy was changed. Azam wasn't given a chance to keep wickets after one match and was dropped after getting out on the very first ball," he said.However, Moin emphasized that Azam needs to become "physically and mentally" stronger to maintain his performance at the highest level."I'm not saying that all the blame lies with the team management and the captain; Azam has his own shortcomings too. He needs to make himself physically and mentally stronger, follow the fitness routines of other sportsmen. For the past month or so, I've noticed he's been working hard to improve his fitness with his trainer Shehzar Mohammad, even taking him along to the Caribbean League," said Moin.

Pakistan's Azam Khan Suffers Neck Injury in CPL, Raises Fitness ConcernsPakistan's wicket-keeper batter Azam Khan endured a harrowing experience during the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Friday, sustaining a blow to his neck that sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.Playing for the Guyana Amazon Warriors against the Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, Azam faced a menacing bouncer from Shamar Springer. Attempting to pull the ball towards the leg side, he missed the connection and the ball struck him flush on the neck.The impact sent Azam crashing to the ground, clutching his neck in agony. As he lay prone, the ball rolled towards the stumps, and in a desperate attempt to prevent a dismissal, Azam reached out and flicked it away. However, his bat and the ball hit the stumps simultaneously, resulting in a bizarre dismissal.The incident left the Guyana Amazon Warriors reeling at 77/4 in their chase of 169. Medical personnel rushed to Azam's aid, providing immediate attention. The unsettling nature of his dismissal raised concerns about his fitness and form.Azam, who has struggled to find consistent success on the international stage, was part of Pakistan's ICC T20 World Cup 2024 squad but failed to make an impact. His injury in the CPL has cast further doubt on his ability to contribute to the national team.Despite the setback, the Guyana Amazon Warriors managed to secure a last-ball victory, thanks to crucial cameos from Romario Shephard and Dwaine Pretorius. However, Azam's dismissal overshadowed the match, leaving a lingering sense of worry about his well-being.

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam is set to bat at number four in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, according to sources. This decision comes after concerns were raised about the team's fitness following their disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup 2024.Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt has praised Azam's fitness and consistency, highlighting his impressive run-scoring record over the past two years. Butt emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness, especially after the criticism the team faced for their poor performance at the T20 World Cup.The two-match Test series against Bangladesh will mark the first assignment for Pakistan's new Test coach, Jason Gillespie. The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21, while the second Test will be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that spectators will not be allowed during the second Test match in Karachi due to ongoing renovations at the National Stadium.The Pakistan squad for the Test series includes:* Shan Masood (captain)* Saud Shakeel* Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness)* Abdullah Shafique* Abrar Ahmed* Babar Azam* Kamran Ghulam* Khurram Shahzad* Mir Hamza* Mohammad Ali* Muhammad Hurraira* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Saim Ayub* Salman Ali Agha* Sarfaraz Ahmed* Shaheen Shah AfridiThe Bangladesh squad for the Test series includes:* Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)* Mahmudullah* Zakir Hasan* Shadman Islam* Mominul Haque* Mushfiqur Rahim* Shakib Al Hasan* Litton Das* Mehidy Hasan Miraz* Taijul Islam* Nazmul Hossain* Nurul Hasan* Ebadot Hossain* Hasan Mahmud* Taskin Ahmed* Khaled Ahmed

Hardik Pandya's sudden removal as India's T20I captain and exclusion from the ODI squad has raised eyebrows. The decision, made by chief selector Ajit Agarkar, has been attributed to Pandya's fitness concerns and limited availability.Pandya, who led India to victory in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, has been plagued by injuries, including an ankle issue during the 50-over World Cup last year. Despite his impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, scoring 144 runs and taking 11 wickets, Pandya's fitness has become a concern.Former India pacer Ashish Nehra expressed surprise at the decision, stating that Pandya's fitness and limited match play could be factors. However, Nehra emphasized Pandya's importance in India's white-ball setup when fit.Suryakumar Yadav, who has been appointed as India's new T20I captain, shares a close bond with former KKR captain Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir, who showed faith in Suryakumar during their time together at KKR, may view him as a long-term captaincy prospect.Nehra believes that Suryakumar's captaincy will depend on his form, equation with the coach and selection committee, and the team's performance. He also highlighted the transition in the Indian team after the World Cup win, with Rohit Sharma remaining as the main captain and Shubman Gill as his deputy.Nehra expressed confidence in Suryakumar's abilities under Gambhir's guidance, citing their familiarity from their time at KKR. He also noted that other countries have successfully implemented multiple captains in different formats.

Hardik Pandya's personal and professional life has been marred by a series of setbacks. His recent separation from wife Natasa Stankovic has been followed by his demotion as India's T20I captain, with Suryakumar Yadav taking over the reins.The selection committee, led by Ajit Agarkar, has expressed concerns about Pandya's fitness, which has been a recurring issue for the all-rounder. The committee is seeking a long-term captain and is monitoring Pandya's progress closely.To assess his fitness in the ODI format, Pandya will represent his home team Baroda in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. This marks his first appearance for Baroda since 2018.Pandya has faced criticism for his absence from domestic cricket, with former Baroda coach Dav Whatmore accusing him of neglecting his state team. Whatmore pointed out that Pandya has not played white-ball cricket for Baroda in years, despite being labeled as an all-rounder from the state.Agarkar, however, emphasized that Pandya remains a valuable asset to the Indian team due to his unique skill set. However, he acknowledged that fitness concerns have made it challenging to consider Pandya for the captaincy role.With the next T20 World Cup approaching, the selection committee is evaluating options and has time to make a decision on the captaincy. Pandya's fitness and performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be crucial factors in determining his future role in the Indian team.

Pakistan's dismal performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup has sparked widespread criticism, but it was head coach Gary Kirsten's scathing assessment that became the focal point after their elimination. Kirsten's comments, which were reportedly made in a team meeting, have sent shockwaves through the cricketing world.Kirsten, who guided India to the 2011 ODI World Cup title, minced no words in his criticism of the Pakistan team. He lamented the lack of unity within the squad, stating that he had "never seen such a situation" in his coaching career. According to media reports, Kirsten also expressed concerns about the players' fitness and skill levels."There's no unity in Pakistan's team. They call it a team, but it isn't a team. They aren't supporting each other; everyone is separated, left and right," Kirsten was quoted as saying.Kirsten's comments have been corroborated by out-of-favor Pakistan player Ahmed Shehzad, who confirmed that the coach had indeed made those statements in a team meeting after their final T20 World Cup match against Ireland."I talked to some players from the team. They confirmed that Kirsten has said that in the final meeting," Shehzad told Geo TV.Kirsten's criticism has reignited the debate about the state of Pakistan cricket. The team's poor performance in recent years has raised questions about the coaching staff, player selection, and the overall direction of the sport in the country.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has yet to respond to Kirsten's comments, but it is expected to face pressure to address the issues raised by the coach. The PCB has been under fire for its handling of the team, and Kirsten's criticism could further erode its credibility.As Pakistan cricket grapples with its current crisis, Kirsten's words serve as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the team. The lack of unity and the deficiencies in fitness and skill levels must be addressed if Pakistan is to regain its former glory on the international stage.

Azam Khan, the son of legendary Pakistani wicketkeeper Moin Khan, has faced intense criticism and trolling following his disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup and subsequent actions.Khan's inclusion in the Pakistan team raised eyebrows, with many questioning his fitness and weight. In his maiden T20 World Cup outing against the United States, he was dismissed for a first-ball duck. He was subsequently dropped for the crucial match against India, which Pakistan lost by a narrow margin.After the match, a video surfaced on social media showing Khan eating street food late at night in New York. This sparked further outrage among fans and critics, who accused him of unprofessionalism.Former Pakistan captain and Team Director Mohammad Hafeez has now revealed shocking details about Khan's behavior. Hafeez, who was sacked by the PCB after a disappointing tour of Australia and New Zealand, had supported Khan during his tenure. However, he was left disappointed by the young player's lack of commitment.Hafeez stated that he had given Khan a six-week fitness program, but the player failed to follow it. He also criticized Khan's running abilities, which were significantly below the rest of the team."I found that this guy is not ready to play international cricket," Hafeez said. "I told him again that if you want to play for Pakistan, you need to show more commitment. But I didn't see that commitment in him."Khan has played 14 T20Is for Pakistan, scoring just 88 runs at an average of 8.80. His poor form and unprofessional conduct have raised serious doubts about his future in the national team.