Cricket

The search for India's next head coach has intensified, with the BCCI receiving applications for the position that will be vacated by Rahul Dravid on June 30, 2024. While names like Gautam Gambhir have been circulating, reliable sources have confirmed that Mahela Jayawardene, the former Sri Lankan captain, has not applied nor been approached for the role.Jayawardene, who has guided Mumbai Indians to three IPL titles, is currently the franchise's global head of performance, overseeing coaching and scouting for MI's teams in various T20 leagues worldwide. He has also served as a consultant for the Sri Lankan men's team during their recent World Cup campaigns.Another potential candidate, Justin Langer, has ruled himself out of contention. The former Australia head coach, who led the team to a T20 World Cup title in 2021, cited the demanding nature of the role and the need for the right timing."It would be a great challenge, but the timing has got to be right," Langer said. "The pressure on winning for the Indian team is massive."The BCCI has set a deadline of May 27 for applications, and the new head coach is expected to be appointed for a three-year period from July 1, 2024, to December 31, 2027. The successful candidate will be tasked with guiding India through the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Gautam Gambhir's Controversial Remarks Spark Debate on Captaincy and CriticismFormer Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir recently ignited a controversy by criticizing AB de Villiers and Kevin Pietersen for their comments on Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya. In response, former cricketer Atul Wassan has urged Gambhir to moderate his tone while acknowledging his talent.The controversy erupted when De Villiers and Pietersen questioned Pandya's leadership abilities following Mumbai Indians' poor performance in the ongoing IPL 2024. Gambhir retaliated by stating that De Villiers and Pietersen's own captaincy records were unimpressive.Wassan, speaking to ANI, defended Gambhir's talent but expressed concern over his confrontational approach. He revealed that Gambhir believed adversity motivated him to perform at his best, but suggested that toning down his rhetoric would enhance his effectiveness as a mentor."Gautam Gambhir is a great player who has achieved a lot in his career. He used to thrive on conflict, but if he could just tone down a bit, he has a lot of talent and can be a great mentor," Wassan said.Wassan also criticized the tendency to heap praise on captains when teams succeed and blame them when they fail. He argued that such a perspective is unfair and that captains should be evaluated based on their own merits."I don't think it's right to compare Hardik Pandya to past captains. He's still an IPL-winning captain, so you should only compare him to other IPL-winning captains," Wassan added.Under Gambhir's mentorship, KKR has emerged as a top contender in IPL 2024, winning 9 of 13 matches and topping the standings. Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, have struggled, winning only four games and being eliminated from playoff contention.Gambhir's comments have sparked a debate about the role of criticism in sports. While some believe that constructive criticism can be beneficial, others argue that it can be counterproductive and undermine team morale.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer, has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. According to ESPNcricinfo, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has approached Gambhir to gauge his interest in the position.Gambhir, 42, has no prior experience as a coach at the international or domestic level. However, he has been involved in coaching roles at two IPL franchises. He served as the mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants in 2022 and 2023, guiding them to the playoffs in both seasons. He then joined the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as their mentor for the 2024 season, where they finished the league stage at the top of the points table.Gambhir's move to KKR was unexpected, but it is believed that he was persuaded by the franchise's principal owner, Shah Rukh Khan. Gambhir was a key member of India's T20 World Cup-winning team in 2007 and the ODI World Cup-winning team in 2011. He also captained KKR for seven IPL seasons from 2011 to 2017, leading them to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.Dravid, who has been India's head coach since 2021, has informed the BCCI that he will not seek another term. The BCCI has set a deadline of May 27 for applications for the head coach position, a day after the IPL final.If appointed, Gambhir will be tasked with leading India to success in all three formats of the game. India will be aiming to win the T20 World Cup in 2024, the ODI World Cup in 2027, and the Test Championship in 2025.

Sanju Samson's exceptional performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) have propelled him into the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The 29-year-old has secured the position of the second wicketkeeper-batter, behind Rishabh Pant, surpassing formidable contenders like KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan.Former India opener Gautam Gambhir believes that this is the opportune moment for Samson to make a significant impact on the international stage. He expects the wicketkeeper-batter to not only participate but also lead India to victories.Gambhir emphasizes that Samson has accumulated ample experience and should now harness his full potential to deliver memorable performances. "Now that you've gotten picked in the World Cup team, you have that opportunity-the kind that you need to make sure you start winning games for India if you get the chance," Gambhir told SportsKeeda.He adds, "You have that experience of playing international cricket. You are not a newbie that you will wait any longer. You have tasted international cricket and you've done well in the IPL, and now you have the chance to play the World Cup. So, hopefully, Sanju shows the world what he is capable of at this stage."Gambhir also believes that Samson's captaincy experience with the Rajasthan Royals will positively influence his batting at the T20 World Cup. "Just the quality of a player. I don't need to see much. Five minutes are enough to figure out what kind of a player he is," Gambhir said."Mentally, you always grow, and skill-wise as well. Otherwise, if you get stagnant, you won't be able to survive for too long. The good thing is be it fitness, power-hitting, keeping or captaincy... he has not put a foot wrong. Through captaincy, you start accessing, judging better, reading better. That is when you also become a better batter. I hope Samson's captaincy reflects on his batting at the T20 World Cup if he gets a chance."Samson's inclusion in the Indian squad is a testament to his consistent performances in the IPL. He has been a key player for the Rajasthan Royals, leading them to the finals in the 2022 season. His ability to score runs quickly and his impressive wicketkeeping skills make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Gautam Gambhir, the former captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), has expressed regret over not fully utilizing the potential of Suryakumar Yadav during his tenure. Gambhir, who led KKR to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, acknowledged that Yadav's true potential emerged after he joined Mumbai Indians.Yadav, who played for KKR from 2014 to 2017, has since become one of the most formidable batters in T20 cricket. He currently holds the top spot in the ICC T20I batting rankings, showcasing his exceptional skills for both MI and the Indian national team.Gambhir attributed his inability to fully utilize Yadav's talent to team combinations. "As a leader, you have to think about the other 10 players in the XI as well," he explained. "He would have been way more effective at No. 3, but was equally good at No. 7."Despite not being given a consistent role in the batting order, Yadav remained a valuable member of the KKR team. "He was also a team man," Gambhir said. "Whether you play him at No. 6 or 7 or bench him, he was always smiling and always ready to perform for the team."Gambhir's recognition of Yadav's talent and character highlights the importance of identifying and nurturing potential in young players. It also serves as a reminder that even the most successful teams can have regrets about players who they may not have fully utilized.

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has acknowledged his shortcomings as a captain, following criticism from Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir had defended Hardik Pandya's captaincy, stating that those criticizing him had "woeful captaincy records" themselves.Pietersen, known for his candor, admitted to his failures as a captain, saying, "He's not wrong. I was a terrible captain!!!" This admission aligns with Gambhir's assertion that Pietersen and AB de Villiers, who had also expressed concerns about Pandya's leadership, had poor captaincy records.Gambhir emphasized the importance of comparing similar achievements, highlighting Pandya's success as an IPL-winning captain. He pointed out that Pietersen's captaincy record in the IPL was limited, with only two wins out of six matches as RCB captain in 2009 and a disappointing bottom finish for Delhi in 2014 under his leadership.Pietersen's response echoed Gambhir's sentiment, highlighting a rare moment of self-reflection from the former England skipper. He acknowledged that his captaincy style may not have been effective, stating that he was "happy when he is not" and "smiling too much" during his stint as Mumbai Indians' captain in the 2024 Indian Premier League.Despite the criticism, Gambhir defended Pandya's leadership, comparing his record to that of Pietersen and de Villiers. He argued that Pandya's success as an IPL-winning captain should be taken into account when evaluating his leadership abilities.

Kolkata Knight Riders Secure Top-Two Finish in IPL 2024 PlayoffsKolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have secured a top-two finish in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs after a washed-out game against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Monday. The result means that KKR will now have an advantage going into the playoffs, as they have qualified for Qualifier 1 and have a chance to directly qualify for the final.KKR have been the team to beat this season under the mentorship of Gautam Gambhir. They currently have 9 wins and only three defeats in 13 matches, and have outplayed and outsmarted their opponents. Gambhir's influence on the team has been significant, and former spinner Harbhajan Singh lauded his impact on the team's performance."KKR is a great unit," said Harbhajan on Star Sports. "It's not just the presence of Gautam Gambhir or Shah Rukh Khan's. They both have great friendship but their dressing room has looked really secure this season. That's what a mentor does. A good mentor when he goes to any camp, he makes sure that everyone is on one page. When they play together, they look like an unbeaten team. So, Gambhir being there, he must have done one thing for sure that everyone is equal and will play together whether we win or lose, will stay humble."KKR currently sit at the top of the table, and a top-two finish means they now have an advantage going into the playoffs. Featuring in Qualifier 1 means that KKR have a chance to directly qualify for the final. On Monday, KKR qualified for Qualifier 1 after 10 years.

Gautam Gambhir Defends Hardik Pandya Amidst Leadership CriticismKolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir has come to the defense of Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya, who has faced criticism for his leadership skills. The five-time IPL champions have struggled under Pandya's captaincy, leading to criticism from former players like AB de Villiers and Kevin Pietersen.Gambhir dismissed the criticism, arguing that de Villiers and Pietersen have not achieved anything significant as leaders. "It's not important what experts are saying," Gambhir said. "My opinion has always been that you judge someone's captaincy by his team's performance."He emphasized that Pandya needs time to adjust to his new role. "Hardik Pandya has come from some other franchise so it takes time," Gambhir said. "Give him some time. Suddenly, you expect him to deliver at Mumbai, after captaining for two years at Gujarat."Gambhir also criticized de Villiers and Pietersen for their lack of leadership experience. "Those experts who have criticized him, they should see their own performances when they have captained a side," Gambhir said. "Whether it's AB de Villiers or Kevin Pietersen, I don't think in their career there is any performance of leadership, nothing."Despite Pandya's struggles, Gambhir believes he has the potential to be a successful captain. "He could have delivered, I am not saying he couldn't have," Gambhir said. "But if he hasn't, it's fine, give him a bit more time."Pandya has scored 200 runs and taken 11 wickets in 13 matches this season. Mumbai Indians are out of playoff contention with nine defeats in 13 matches. They will play their final game against Lucknow Super Giants on May 17.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir expressed immense relief after the team secured a berth in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs with a thrilling victory over Mumbai Indians (MI) on Saturday.KKR's resurgence this season has been attributed to Gambhir's astute guidance. After finishing seventh in the previous two seasons, the team has displayed remarkable improvement under his leadership.Former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu lauded Gambhir's impact on KKR's turnaround. "Gautam Gambhir gets inspired when the situation gets tough. He starts advising, and that's how it should be," Sidhu said.Sidhu highlighted KKR's exceptional bowling performance, with five players claiming 10 or more wickets. "KKR is the only team with six bowlers who have taken 60 wickets between them," he emphasized.Sidhu questioned the decision to acquire Australian pacer Mitchell Starc for a hefty sum, instead praising Sunil Narine as the "MVP" of the tournament. "The most valuable player is Sunil Narine. Who got Starc? Everybody was talking about Rs 23 crore. The cynic knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. It is the value addition, boss!" Sidhu exclaimed.KKR's victory over MI was a testament to their newfound resilience. Despite MI's aggressive chase, Harshit Rana's dismissal of Tilak Varma in the final over sealed the deal for KKR.Gambhir's presence in the dugout has instilled a sense of belief and determination in the team. With KKR sitting atop the standings with 19 points from 13 matches, they are poised to make a strong run in the playoffs.