Cricket

India's newly appointed T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has expressed his excitement about working with head coach Gautam Gambhir, with whom he shares a special bond dating back to their time together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Yadav, who has previously led India in seven T20Is, emphasized the importance of leadership and the lessons he has learned from various captains. He believes that being a leader on the field, even without the official title, has helped him grow as a player.Speaking about his relationship with Gambhir, Yadav recalled their time together at KKR, where Gambhir's guidance played a pivotal role in his development. He expressed his belief that Gambhir's understanding of his work ethic and mindset will be invaluable in their new roles with the Indian team.Yadav also highlighted the importance of humility and balance in life, lessons he has learned from his experiences in cricket. He believes that it is crucial to separate on-field performance from personal life and to maintain a sense of perspective.India's tour of Sri Lanka marks the beginning of a new era for both teams, with Gambhir and Sanath Jayasuriya taking over as head coaches for India and Sri Lanka, respectively. The series will feature three T20Is and three ODIs, with the first T20I scheduled for Saturday in Pallekele.India's T20I squad for the series includes a mix of experienced players and rising stars, with Yadav leading the charge as captain. The team will be looking to build on their recent successes and continue their dominance in the shortest format of the game.

Sanjay Manjrekar's recent comments on the role of coaches in the Indian cricket team's success have sparked a heated debate on social media. Manjrekar, a former India cricketer, suggested that there is no direct correlation between the presence of a coach and the team's ability to win World Cups.Manjrekar's remarks came just as Gautam Gambhir, another former India cricketer, prepares to take over as the head coach of the Indian men's national team. Manjrekar argued that India's success in cricket is more dependent on the overall functioning of the system rather than the individual coach.He pointed out that India won its first ODI World Cup in 1983 without a designated head coach. The team also enjoyed successful stints under MS Dhoni in 2007 and 2011, despite having different coaches on both occasions.Under Rahul Dravid's mentorship, India lifted the T20 World Cup 2024 title in Barbados, ending their 11-year-long ICC title drought. India also came close to winning the World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup final against Australia last year.Manjrekar believes that the focus should be on the players and the system, rather than the coach. He emphasized that India's success in cricket is a result of the collective efforts of the players, the support staff, and the overall cricketing ecosystem."No coach, Lalchand Rajput, Gary Kirsten & Dravid. Coaches when India won WCs in 1983, 2007, 2011 & 2023. It's really about Indian cricket, not who the coach is. Time we stop thinking there is a direct correlation," Manjrekar wrote on Twitter.Many fans took to social media to criticize Manjrekar's comments, especially considering the timing. Gambhir's first coaching assignment will begin in Sri Lanka later in the day as Suryakumar Yadav-led India will take on the hosts in the first T20I of the three-match series in Pallekele.

The appointment of Gautam Gambhir as Team India's head coach has sparked discussions about his relationship with star batter Virat Kohli. The duo's past verbal altercation during IPL 2023 has raised questions about their compatibility in the national team setup.However, former India cricketer Venkatapathy Raju believes that the incident should be put behind them. "They are very senior cricketers and they are mature sportsmen," Raju said. "There will be a lot of discussions on social media. We should just leave them."Gambhir's emergence as the frontrunner for the head coach position is attributed to his successful stint with the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. Kohli's decision to participate in the ODI series against Sri Lanka will mark the first time he works with Gambhir in the same team.Both Gambhir and Kohli are known for their fiery personalities on the field. As captains of opposing IPL teams and later as mentors and senior players, they have had heated exchanges. However, their relationship seemed to improve after Gambhir joined the Kolkata Knight Riders as a mentor.Gambhir has downplayed the significance of his relationship with Kohli, stating that it is a private matter. "My relationship is not public. What kind of a relationship I share with Virat Kohli... I think it's between two mature individuals," he said.India's upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka will provide an opportunity to observe the dynamics between Gambhir and Kohli in a national team setting. The series will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network, with Raju providing commentary in Telugu.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of Team India, embarks on his tenure with the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. This marks a significant transition for the Indian cricket team, as Gambhir takes over the reins from Rahul Dravid, who guided the team to a successful ICC T20 World Cup campaign last month.Dravid, in an emotional audio message, extended his heartfelt wishes to Gambhir and shared his experiences as the head coach. He expressed his hope that Gambhir would have the luxury of a fully fit squad, something he often lacked during his tenure. Dravid also highlighted the importance of maintaining composure under pressure and seeking support from players, staff, and fans.Gambhir, in response, expressed his deep admiration for Dravid and acknowledged the emotional impact of his message. He described Dravid as the "most selfless player" he has worked with and committed to approaching his new role with honesty and transparency.The series against Sri Lanka will comprise three T20Is and three ODIs, with Shubman Gill serving as vice-captain to Suryakumar Yadav in T20Is and Rohit Sharma in ODIs. This tour will provide Gambhir with an opportunity to assess the team's strengths and weaknesses and implement his coaching philosophy.Gambhir's appointment as head coach has been met with mixed reactions. Some have questioned his experience at the international level, while others have praised his leadership qualities and his ability to work with younger players. As he begins his journey, the cricketing world will be keenly observing how he leads Team India through this new chapter.

As Gautam Gambhir embarks on his new role as head coach of Team India, he received a heartfelt message from his predecessor, Rahul Dravid. In a video shared by the BCCI, Dravid extended his well wishes and shared valuable insights with Gambhir.Dravid began by welcoming Gambhir to the "most exciting job in the world," recalling his own triumphant tenure that culminated in India's T20 World Cup victory in 2024. He expressed his hope that Gambhir would have the same fortune of having a fully fit squad at his disposal.Dravid also acknowledged Gambhir's dedication and passion for Indian cricket, having observed his work as a coach and mentor in the Indian Premier League. He urged Gambhir to maintain his drive to extract the best from his team and to assist younger players.Recognizing the intense scrutiny that comes with the role, Dravid offered words of support and encouragement. He emphasized that Gambhir would have the backing of the players, staff, and fans, even in challenging times.Dravid concluded his message with a personal request: "In the most heated of times, exhale, take a step back, and even if it's difficult for you, crack a smile. Whatever else happens, that will shock people."Gambhir was visibly moved by Dravid's message, expressing his gratitude and admiration for his predecessor. He acknowledged the weight of the responsibility he had inherited and pledged to lead the Indian team with honesty, transparency, and a determination to make the nation proud.

The Indian cricket team embarks on a new era in T20 international cricket under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav. The duo faces the daunting task of replacing stalwarts like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja, who recently retired from the format.As they prepare for the first match against Sri Lanka on Saturday, Gambhir and Yadav must make several crucial decisions regarding the team's playing XI. The opening partnership is expected to remain unchanged, with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill retaining their spots.Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant are likely to occupy the No. 3 and No. 4 positions, respectively. Pant's return means Sanju Samson may have to sit out, unless the team management opts to play him as a specialist batter.Hardik Pandya is a certainty at No. 5, despite competition from Shivam Dube. Pandya's all-round abilities, including his bowling, give him an edge over Dube. However, Dube's superior batting skills against spin-heavy teams present a dilemma for the team management.Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube are vying for the No. 6 spot, with both capable of playing the finisher's role. Washington Sundar and Axar Patel are the two spin-bowling all-rounders likely to be included, while Ravi Bishnoi will serve as the specialist third spinner.In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj are expected to lead the pace-bowling attack.

Gautam Gambhir's Appointment as Team India Head Coach: A Catalyst for Fresh Energy and PerformanceFormer Sri Lankan batter Russel Arnold has lauded the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of Team India, succeeding Rahul Dravid. Arnold believes that Gambhir's leadership will infuse the team with fresh energy and prevent complacency among players.Gambhir's debut as head coach will be in the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, commencing on Saturday. Arnold praised Gambhir's managerial skills and his ability to deliver results. "Gautam Gambhir has shown that he can get a message across and get others to perform," Arnold said in an interview with News 18.Arnold emphasized the importance of change in maintaining a competitive edge. He believes that Gambhir's distinct approach will positively jolt the team. "There'll be a bit of adjustment for people to come to terms with Gautam Gambhir, but I think the change is also good because then you become too familiar with one system and hence they'll be shaken up, maybe even woken up that you still need to get better and you still need to perform a lot more," Arnold explained.The India vs Sri Lanka series, beginning with the first T20I at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, marks the start of a new era for Team India under Gambhir's guidance. Arnold expressed confidence in Gambhir's ability to bring about positive changes and inspire the team to greater heights.

Team India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, and head coach Gautam Gambhir have rekindled their bond from their days at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). During a pre-match press conference ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Gambhir expressed regret over not fully utilizing Suryakumar's potential during their time together at KKR.Gambhir acknowledged that team combinations at the time prevented Suryakumar from batting at the No. 3 spot, a decision he now regrets. "As a leader, you think about the other 10 players as well," Gambhir explained. "If Surya had batted at No. 3, he would have been a lot more effective."Suryakumar responded with humor, suggesting that his full potential could now be utilized under Gambhir's guidance as head coach. He praised Gambhir's understanding and shared insights into their strong relationship as coach and captain. "Even when I say nothing sometimes, he understands what I want," Suryakumar stated.Suryakumar, at 33, is currently leading the T20I team in Sri Lanka and has reunited with his former KKR captain. Since making his debut for India in 2021, Suryakumar has established himself as one of the top T20I batters in the world. In 68 matches, he has scored 2340 runs at an average of 43.33 and a strike rate of 167.74, with four hundreds and 19 fifties.Gambhir's regret over not fully utilizing Suryakumar's potential highlights the importance of recognizing and nurturing talent. It also underscores the significance of a strong coach-captain relationship in bringing out the best in players. As Suryakumar and Gambhir embark on this new journey together, they aim to unlock Suryakumar's full potential and lead Team India to success.

India's newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav will make their debut as a leadership duo against a struggling Sri Lankan side in a series of limited-overs matches. The first game of the three-match T20I series will be held on Saturday in Pallekele.Gambhir, a two-time World Cup winner, takes over the coaching reins from Rahul Dravid. The new coach faces a significant challenge, considering that under Dravid's guidance, the team reached the final in each of the ICC events -- World Test Championship, ODI World Cup and T20 World Cup -- in the respective recent editions.Known for his tenacity and intense approach, Gambhir's coaching style will present a fresh experience for the players. They will also need to adapt to the leadership of their new T20I captain, Suryakumar.The selection of Suryakumar as captain came as a mild surprise, as he was chosen over Hardik Pandya despite his relatively limited captaincy experience. The BCCI selection committee emphasized their preference for a captain who was consistently available for selection and considered "dressing room feedback" when deciding to reset the T20I team's leadership.The Indian selectors have ample time to reconstruct the team for the next T20 World Cup in 2026, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Following the recent World Cup victory and the retirement of experienced players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja from T20Is, the team finds itself in a transitional phase.This presents an opportunity for young talents like Shubman Gill, the vice-captain in both white-ball formats, to solidify his position in the team. Other promising players, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, and Riyan Parag, will also aim to establish themselves.Axar Patel seamlessly steps into Jadeja's role in the playing eleven, while India boasts a wealth of all-round options with the presence of Pandya, Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar.Jasprit Bumrah has been given a well-deserved rest for this tour, allowing Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj to capitalize on the favorable conditions at the Pallekele International Stadium.Sri Lanka's bowling attack has been weakened by the absence of Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara. The team has brought in Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka as replacements.The island nation, which won the T20 World Cup in 2014, is currently facing challenging times after being eliminated in the first round of the recent edition. In the wake of this disappointment, captain Wanindu Hasaranga, coach Chris Silverwood and consultant coach Mahela Jayawardene all submitted their resignations.Former SL captain Sanath Jayasuriya has been appointed as the interim coach for Sri Lanka. He has encouraged his team to capitalize on the absence of experienced players in the Indian squad. However, Jayasuriya is well aware that his team is in dire need of consistent and strong performances to turn their fortunes around.The responsibility of leading the team has been given to the promising batsman Charith Asalanka, as Sri Lanka, similar to India, ventures into unfamiliar territory with the aim of improving their cricket.With the advantage of playing on their home turf, Sri Lanka have reason to be optimistic about changing their fortunes, considering the wealth of talent within their squad. This includes the aggressive former captain Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis and the seasoned Dinesh Chandimal.