Cricket

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, is renowned for his ability to inspire players and lead them to victory, according to his childhood coach Sanjay Bharadwaj. Gambhir's unwavering determination and willingness to embrace challenges make him an ideal candidate to guide the national team to new heights.Bharadwaj, who has also mentored other notable cricketers such as Amit Mishra and Unmukt Chand, believes that Gambhir possesses the qualities of a top-notch coach. "Gautam has the ability to bring out the best in his players," he said. "He knows them well and can effectively utilize their strengths."Gambhir's competitive spirit and unwavering belief in his abilities have been evident throughout his career. "He always played with a challenge," Bharadwaj recalled. "He had a winner's mentality from a young age and never doubted his ability to succeed."Bharadwaj also highlighted Gambhir's keen observation skills and his ability to identify potential in players. "He predicted Rohit Sharma's resurgence when he was going through a lean patch," he said. "His observation about Rohit proved accurate."Gambhir's unwavering commitment to his decisions and his focus on team success are also key attributes that will serve him well as head coach. "If he feels something is right for the team, he will be firm on that decision," Bharadwaj said. "He doesn't believe in favouritism; the only thing that is his favourite is cricket."Bharadwaj's advice to Gambhir as he embarks on this new chapter is to remain true to his principles. "Be honest in your approach," he said. "You have a habit of taking up challenges and conquering them; repay the country's faith in you."With his proven track record of success as a player and his unwavering determination, Gautam Gambhir is poised to make a significant impact as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. His ability to inspire players, embrace challenges, and focus on team success will undoubtedly lead to a new era of dominance for Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma, India's ODI captain, is set to return to action in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, according to a report by Hindustan Times. Earlier speculations suggested that Sharma, along with Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah, would miss the entire tour. However, the report claims that Sharma will be back in action, while Kohli and Bumrah will enjoy an extended leave after a grueling schedule.The series against Sri Lanka will be India's first assignment under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. It will also be a crucial preparation for the Champions Trophy 2025, with India playing only six ODIs before the tournament. Sharma's involvement in the series is seen as a significant step in India's preparations.Meanwhile, the T20I captaincy remains a topic of discussion. Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav have emerged as strong contenders, but media reports suggest that Yadav has an advantage due to concerns over Pandya's fitness.Yadav has emerged as a dark horse to become India's T20 captain until the 2026 World Cup. He captained India in eight T20Is against Australia and South Africa last year and is reportedly the preferred choice of Gambhir and chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar.Pandya, who was India's T20 vice-captain under Sharma, will take a break during the ODI series against Sri Lanka due to personal reasons. He is expected to lead the side in the T20Is, which will run from July 27 to 30 in Pallekele. The ODIs will follow from August 2 to 7 in Colombo.The squad for the series is expected to be announced in the next couple of days.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is actively seeking new support staff for the senior men's team, following the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as head coach. Gambhir has expressed his eagerness to finalize his coaching team promptly, but his proposed candidates have reportedly faced resistance from the board.Gambhir had suggested R Vinay Kumar, Morne Morkel, Abhishek Nayar, Ryan Ten Doeschate, Jonty Rhodes, and Laxmipathy Balaji for various roles. However, the BCCI has reportedly rejected all of these suggestions except for Abhishek Nayar, who currently serves as assistant coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders.The board's reluctance to accept Gambhir's recommendations stems from a departure from past practices. Previously, Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid were granted autonomy in selecting their coaching staff. However, the BCCI appears to be taking a more hands-on approach with Gambhir.Sources indicate that the BCCI is keen on appointing Zaheer Khan as the next bowling coach. Khan, a legendary left-arm pacer, boasts an impressive record of 311 Test wickets and 610 international wickets across all formats. His vast experience and expertise make him a highly sought-after candidate.Balaji's name was also reportedly considered, but the board ultimately decided against his appointment. The former Indian pacer has represented the country in eight Test matches and 30 ODIs, claiming 27 and 34 wickets respectively.Paras Mahambrey's tenure as bowling coach under Rahul Dravid has concluded. As for the fielding coach position, T Dilip's contract may be extended.The BCCI's decision to reject Gambhir's proposed coaching staff has raised questions about the level of autonomy granted to the new head coach. It remains to be seen how this will impact Gambhir's ability to shape the team's future and achieve success on the international stage.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir recently held a virtual introductory meeting to discuss the vision for Team India. The meeting, which lasted for an hour, included members of Ajit Agarkar's selection committee, Gambhir, and BCCI secretary Jay Shah.One of the key topics discussed was the squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. With senior players like Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah expected to be rested, opportunities may arise for players like Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, who were not included in the T20 World Cup squad.It was also reported that although captain Rohit Sharma is expected to miss the series, there is a possibility that he may make himself available. With vice-captain Hardik Pandya unavailable for selection in the ODI series due to injury concerns, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav are potential candidates to lead the side.Gambhir, who attended the meeting from his home in New Delhi, outlined his vision for the team, emphasizing the importance of commitment and dedication. He also discussed the type of players he wants in the squad, focusing on those who are willing to give their all for the team.The India vs Sri Lanka white ball series will commence on July 27, featuring three One Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals. The series will provide an opportunity for the new-look Indian team to showcase their skills and prepare for future challenges.

After India's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024, the team's future is in the spotlight. With the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the focus turns to the appointment of a new T20I captain.Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain, was initially seen as the frontrunner. However, Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as a surprise contender. Yadav's exceptional performance in the World Cup final, including a crucial catch of David Miller, has bolstered his case.Yadav boasts an impressive record in T20Is, with 2340 runs in 68 matches at an average of 43.33 and a strike rate of 167.74. He has led India in 7 T20Is, securing five victories.On the other hand, Pandya has accumulated 1492 runs in 100 T20Is, averaging 26.64, with four fifties. He has also claimed 84 wickets in T20Is. He has captained India in 16 T20Is, winning 10 matches.Gautam Gambhir, India's new head coach, is reportedly in favor of Yadav as the preferred candidate for the captaincy. Gambhir, along with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar, has discussed the leadership transition with Pandya.Pandya, who served as Rohit's deputy at the T20 World Cup, has been informed about India's long-term captaincy plans. Despite being fully fit and available for the upcoming T20I series, there is strong speculation that Yadav could lead the team not only in the Sri Lanka series but also potentially until the 2026 World Cup.The decision on the captaincy will be crucial for India's future in T20 cricket. Both Yadav and Pandya have their strengths and weaknesses, and the team management will need to carefully consider all factors before making a decision.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of Team India, carries the weight of a nation's expectations on his shoulders. The 42-year-old, a former left-handed batsman with over 10,000 international runs, played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and ODI World Cup victory in 2011.As a mentor, Gambhir led the Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title this year. He succeeds Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after guiding India to their first global title since the 2013 Champions Trophy.Gambhir's tenure will commence with the upcoming away series against Sri Lanka, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs. Ahead of the series, Star Sports released a video of Gambhir discussing the importance of a balanced team composition."First, you need to identify players with a fearless approach," Gambhir said. "In a format like 50 overs, you need a mix of players. You should have anchors and match-winners. The change in rules has made a difference. We used to have only one new ball, but now we have two and five fielders inside, so the role of the part-timer has diminished.""You don't see enough reverse swing or purchase for finger spinners anymore," he added. "But I believe that when we talk about this new approach, you have to identify players who can adapt to those roles easily. Some players cannot adapt, so why push them to play in a way that doesn't come naturally to them?""For me, identifying players and getting the right mix is very important," Gambhir emphasized. "We shouldn't think that we have to play with a certain template and select all 15 players with a similar mindset."India has not won an ODI global title since the 2013 Champions Trophy, and Gambhir will be eager to change that in the upcoming year. He is the only Indian and one of four international cricketers to have scored centuries in five successive Test matches.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and captain, has bid farewell to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise after being appointed as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. Under Gambhir's guidance, KKR clinched their third IPL title in 2023, ending a 10-year drought.Gambhir's tenure as KKR coach was marked by a complete overhaul of the team's approach. He brought in a new opening pair of Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, who became one of the most formidable in the tournament. The spin bowling combination of Varun Chakravarthy and Narine, along with the youthful exuberance of Harshit Rana and Vaibhav Arora, also played a crucial role in KKR's championship victory.Gambhir's success with KKR has raised expectations among Indian cricket fans, who are eager to see him replicate his winning formula with the national team. His aggressive, never-say-die attitude is expected to inspire the Indian players to greater heights.In a heartfelt video message, Gambhir expressed his gratitude to the KKR franchise and its fans. He acknowledged the special bond he shared with Kolkata and the city's passionate cricket culture. However, he also emphasized that it was time for him to move on to a new chapter in his career."I smile when you smile. I cry when you cry. I win when you win. I lose, when you lose. I dream when you dream. I achieve when you achieve. I believe with you and I become with you. I am you, Kolkata, I am just one of you," Gambhir said in his video message."And now the time has come when we have to create some legacies together. The time has come when we have to write some bigger and bolder scripts. The script not with purple ink but in that blue, the treasured India blue. As we both take our fresh card we promise each other that we will never walk alone. It will always be shoulder-to-shoulder, hand in hand. It will all be for the tricolor. It will all be about our India," he added.Gambhir's appointment as India coach is a testament to his success with KKR and his reputation as a shrewd tactician. Indian cricket fans will be hoping that he can guide the team to numerous victories with the same aggressive, winning, and never-give-up attitude that he instilled in KKR.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season witnessed a heated on-field clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore's Virat Kohli and Lucknow Super Giants' Naveen-ul-Haq. The incident escalated beyond the match, involving Lucknow coach Gautam Gambhir and sparking a heated argument that required intervention from teammates.According to Lucknow spinner Amit Mishra, the altercation stemmed from an incident in Bengaluru, where Gambhir made a "finger on mouth" gesture towards the home crowd. Mishra believes Kohli took offense to this gesture and began verbally abusing LSG players in their subsequent encounter.Mishra expressed that Kohli could have avoided certain actions, but chose not to. He claims that Kohli verbally attacked Kyle Myers and Naveen-ul-Haq, even during their bowling spells. Mishra attempted to intervene, but Kohli directed him to address Naveen instead.The situation worsened after the match, as Kohli continued to abuse Naveen during the customary handshakes. Gambhir intervened, questioning why Kohli was reigniting the issue after the game had concluded. Mishra intervened to separate Gambhir, but Naveen later reported that Kohli had resumed his verbal attacks.Mishra believes that while Kohli and Naveen may have publicly reconciled, the incident has likely damaged their relationship. He questions whether Naveen will ever truly respect Kohli again, and expresses concern about the impact on younger players who witnessed the altercation.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, is set to embark on his maiden coaching assignment with the Indian cricket team during their upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. Gambhir's appointment as head coach follows the successful tenure of Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados.Brett Lee, the legendary Australian pacer, has expressed his confidence in Gambhir's ability to lead the Indian team to success. Lee believes that Gambhir's aggressive and winning mindset, which he displayed during his playing days, will translate into positive results for the team."He's done a terrific job every time he's had an opportunity," Lee said of Gambhir. "The Indian Premier League title with KKR is the best example. He's always been there, always at the top of his game. He finds a way to unite his players and graft his team together. He builds a solid structure."Lee also praised Dravid for his successful stint as head coach, saying, "Congratulations to Rahul for finishing on a high."Regarding India's performance at the T20 World Cup, Lee commended Rohit Sharma's leadership. "Big, big congratulations to India," Lee said. "They looked like a strong side, to be very honest. Massive congratulations to Rohit Sharma and the Indian team. He led from the front in the tournament."India will face Sri Lanka in three T20Is and as many ODIs, starting July 26. Rohit and Virat Kohli are likely to be rested for the tour, providing an opportunity for younger players to showcase their skills.