Cricket

South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has expressed his admiration for Indian T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, describing him as the "GOAT" of the format. Klaasen, known for his explosive batting style, revealed his thoughts on T20 cricket, his memorable innings, and his personal favorites in an interview with JioCinema's Q20s show.Klaasen described his batting style as "explosive" and named Suryakumar Yadav as the greatest T20 player of all time. He praised Yadav's ability to hit fine leg off straight balls, a technique he would like to incorporate into his own game.Reflecting on his T20 career, Klaasen recalled two standout performances against India: his 81 in 2022 and 69 in 2018. He chose the former as his favorite, citing the tougher conditions in which it was scored.Klaasen also shared his admiration for other players, naming Jasprit Bumrah as the "toughest bowler to hit out in T20s" and Yuzvendra Chahal as "the funniest non-South African player" he has played with. He expressed his love for butter chicken as his favorite Indian dish.For inspiration from other sports, Klaasen named Formula 1 World Drivers Championship winner Lewis Hamilton, saying, "I wish I had the ability to drive cars like him." He also suggested that Nicholas Pooran is the one batter who could potentially score a double hundred in T20 cricket.When asked who he would trust to bat for his life, Klaasen replied, "Probably Hashim Amla." He admitted that he hesitates to try Suryakumar Yadav's "Supla Shot" over fine leg, as he prefers not to get into line too much.Klaasen's insights provide a glimpse into the mindset of a modern-day T20 cricketer, who values explosive batting, innovation, and a competitive spirit.

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team's captain, is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time. His exceptional skills in both classical and aggressive batting have earned him a reputation as a modern-day batting maestro.Sharma's dominance in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) is evident in his impressive average of over 49 and nearly 11,000 runs scored. He has also established himself as a formidable force in Test cricket, averaging over 45 and showcasing his ability to open the innings with aplomb.In June 2023, Sharma announced his retirement from Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), but he remains the format's leading run-scorer with 4231 runs in 159 matches. His India teammate, Dhruv Jurel, has hailed Sharma as the "Greatest of All Time" (GOAT)."When I watched him on TV, we thought he had a lot of time, but when you watch him bat live, you realize that the deliveries you are struggling against, he's picking them nicely. Everybody knows about his famous pull shot," Jurel said.Sharma will lead the Indian team in a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19. The squad includes several notable additions, such as pacers Akash Deep and Yash Dayal, and the return of wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant after his recovery from a life-threatening accident.Virat Kohli, India's former captain, will also make his Test comeback after missing the home series against England due to the birth of his son. KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah have also returned to the Test set-up after injuries.The spin quartet of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will provide the team with both batting and bowling depth. Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Yash Dayal will form the pace attack.

Suresh Raina Hails MS Dhoni as the 'GOAT' in Fun ActivityFormer Indian cricketer Suresh Raina, currently playing for the Indian Champions in the World Championship of Legends, has named MS Dhoni as the greatest of all time (GOAT) in a fun activity with presenter Shefali Bagga.During a match against the South Africa Champions on Wednesday, Raina participated in the activity where he had to associate cricketers with certain terms. Raina's answers showcased his admiration and respect for his former teammates and their contributions to the sport.When asked about the 'King' and 'run-machine', Raina immediately mentioned Virat Kohli. He labeled Shubman Gill as the 'future' and Jasprit Bumrah as a 'death-over specialist'.However, it was his response to the 'GOAT' that garnered the most attention. Raina instantly replied with 'MS Dhoni', highlighting the close friendship and mutual respect between the two cricketers. They have played together for many years, winning the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.Dhoni served as the captain of Chennai Super Kings for over a decade in the Indian Premier League, with Raina as his deputy. Both players retired from international cricket on August 15, 2020, with Raina announcing his retirement just a few hours after Dhoni.Raina's answers also shed light on his camaraderie with other former teammates. He labeled Shikhar Dhawan as the 'Desi Boy', Yuvraj Singh as the 'Most Stylish', and Harbhajan Singh as the 'Funniest'.Raina's participation in this fun activity not only entertained fans but also showcased his deep understanding and appreciation of the game of cricket and the players who have shaped its history.