Cricket

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, possesses exceptional skills comparable to England's premier all-rounder and captain, Ben Stokes. However, former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris believes that Pandya needs to demonstrate greater consistency in his performances.Styris acknowledges Pandya's immense talent, stating that he is "in a similar ability-zone as someone like Ben Stokes." However, he emphasizes the need for Pandya to translate his abilities into consistent performances. "He's got much more talent than that (his recent performances)," Styris said.Styris highlights the importance of Pandya's availability and fitness in delivering consistent performances. "He is a phenomenally skilled cricketer. But he hasn't quite shown it yet as consistently enough for my liking," Styris said. "I want to see him get his body right and be that dominant all-rounder that we know."Styris also praises left-arm all-rounder Axar Patel, who he believes will play a crucial role in India's upcoming T20I and ODI series against Sri Lanka. "I'm a huge fan of Axar Patel," Styris said. "He's one of those players who always gets in the fight, always gets in the contest."Styris also expresses his desire to see a larger role for Rinku Singh, who missed out on India's T20 World Cup squad. "I would still like to see Rinku come in first," Styris said. "The way he's performed for India, he hasn't done anything wrong."Styris commends the timing of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja's retirements from T20Is. "I think it was the perfect time for those three to step away," Styris said. "It's a real opportunity for India to give some experience to the next generation of players."Styris believes that the young Indian cricketers have immense talent, as evidenced by their performances in the IPL. "They won't have those senior guys around to lean on," Styris said. "But the one thing that we can take away from the IPL is the next wave of Indian batsmen are talented."

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, has been experimenting with leg-spin bowling during India's training session in Pallekele ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka. Pandya's bowling action has drawn comparisons to legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble, with the Lucknow Super Giants franchise sharing an image of Pandya's delivery alongside a similar image of Kumble.Pandya's return to the field in Sri Lanka comes after his match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup last month and a break from the tour of Zimbabwe. However, he will not be the vice-captain of the side, a role he held during the T20 World Cup. The BCCI has appointed Suryakumar Yadav as captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain in both T20Is and ODIs, following Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20Is.The decision to not make Pandya the T20I captain was based on his recent fitness concerns, according to BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Despite a successful return to form in the T20 World Cup, Pandya has faced personal challenges due to his separation from his wife, Natasa Stankovic.Despite these setbacks, Pandya has displayed enthusiasm in training on the tour of Sri Lanka. He will be eager to continue his impressive form from the T20 World Cup final, where his three wickets played a crucial role in India's victory over South Africa.The tour also marks the debut of Gautam Gambhir as India's head coach, replacing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup. India will play three T20Is and three ODIs during the Sri Lanka tour.

Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya's Camaraderie Unfazed by Leadership ChangeAhead of the first T20I match against Sri Lanka, Team India's training session in Kandy witnessed a heartwarming display of camaraderie between Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya. Despite Hardik losing out on the T20I captaincy to Surya, there were no signs of animosity between the two players.During a fielding exercise designed by T Dilip, Surya and Hardik engaged in friendly banter and laughter. The camaraderie between them remained unaffected by the change in leadership roles within the team.In a video posted by the BCCI, Suryakumar and Hardik were captured chuckling during the training session. Head coach Gautam Gambhir couldn't help but smile at the lighthearted moment.Suryakumar replaced Rohit Sharma as T20I captain after Rohit announced his retirement from the 20-over format. He pipped Hardik to the post due to concerns over Hardik's frequent injury absences.However, Suryakumar holds Hardik in great esteem and emphasized that his responsibilities within the team will remain unchanged. "Hardik's role has always been the same. He is a very important player for the team. The way he performed in the World Cup, I hope he will continue to do the same," he said.The camaraderie between Suryakumar and Hardik is a testament to the strong team spirit within the Indian squad. Despite the competitive nature of the sport, the players maintain a positive and supportive environment, which is crucial for their success on the field.

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, possesses exceptional abilities that rival those of England's Ben Stokes, according to former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris. However, Styris emphasizes the need for Pandya to demonstrate greater consistency in his performances.Despite his immense talent, Pandya has not consistently delivered on the field. Styris believes that Pandya must improve his fitness and availability to become a dominant all-rounder. He urges Pandya to showcase his skills with both bat and ball, rather than relying solely on occasional cameos.Styris also highlights the importance of left-arm all-rounder Axar Patel in India's upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Patel's fighting spirit and reliability make him a valuable asset for the team. Styris suggests that Patel could be a floater in the batting order, providing flexibility and depth.While acknowledging the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20 International cricket, Styris views it as an opportunity for the next generation of Indian players to gain experience. He praises the young Indian cricketers for their talent, as evidenced in the IPL, and believes they can step up and fill the void left by the veterans.Styris expresses his desire to see Rinku Singh given more opportunities in the Indian team. Singh's impressive performances have earned him a place in the squad, and Styris believes he should be given a chance to continue his role.

Hardik Pandya Snubbed as Suryakumar Yadav Takes Over as India's T20I CaptainIn a surprising turn of events, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been overlooked for the captaincy role in India's upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. Instead, the selectors have opted for Suryakumar Yadav, who will lead the team for the first time in his career.Pandya's exclusion from the captaincy has raised eyebrows, given his impressive performances and leadership qualities in recent times. He has captained India in the absence of Rohit Sharma and was also named vice-captain for the T20 World Cup, which India won under his leadership.However, India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has clarified that fitness and availability were the primary reasons for choosing Suryakumar over Pandya. Pandya has a history of injury concerns, which may have influenced the selectors' decision.The move has sparked a debate within the cricketing fraternity. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has criticized the selectors, claiming that fitness is merely an excuse for not appointing Pandya as captain. He believes that other players with fitness issues have still gone on to become successful captains.Meanwhile, Suryakumar has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead India. He has previously captained the team in T20I series against Australia and South Africa, where he impressed with his tactical acumen and leadership skills.The first T20I of the three-match series against Sri Lanka will be played on July 27 in Pallekele. India's squad includes a mix of experienced players and exciting young talents, with Suryakumar leading the charge as captain.

Hardik Pandya's significance in Indian cricket cannot be overstated. As a premier fast-bowling all-rounder, he brings a rare skillset to the team. His presence in the lineup provides exceptional balance, as witnessed during the T20 World Cup. Pandya's crucial late overs in the final against South Africa played a pivotal role in India's victory.However, Pandya's absence as captain or vice-captain for the Sri Lanka T20I series has raised questions about his fitness. Former Pakistan coach Dav Whatmore, who has experience coaching Indian domestic teams, has shed light on this issue.Whatmore emphasizes the importance of a robust domestic setup for the health of the national team. He highlights the extensive participation in India's domestic circuit and the role of the IPL in developing talent. However, he also points out that some players, including Pandya, have not been actively involved in white-ball cricket at the domestic level."In my last few years in Baroda, Hardik Pandya wouldn't ever play white-ball cricket," Whatmore said. "It always amuses me that he's termed as the all-rounder from Baroda but he hasn't played for Baroda for years!"Whatmore acknowledges that the BCCI has recently taken steps to encourage players to participate in domestic tournaments like the Ranji Trophy. He believes that this will ultimately benefit the national team by providing a stronger foundation for players to develop their skills.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as captain for the Sri Lanka T20Is raised eyebrows, as many expected Hardik Pandya to take over the role. However, BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar explained that Hardik's injury concerns and workload management prompted the board to look beyond him.Agarkar also highlighted Suryakumar's leadership abilities and positive feedback from players as factors in his appointment. Former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha believes the selectors considered Suryakumar's maturity and experience, especially with the 2026 T20 World Cup in mind.Ojha also pointed out the connection between Suryakumar and newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, who played together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). He believes their understanding and trust played a role in Suryakumar's selection.While Hardik's fitness issues were a concern, Ojha praised Suryakumar's street-smartness and ability to handle pressure. He believes Suryakumar is the best choice for the captaincy role, given his experience and leadership qualities.The decision to appoint Suryakumar as captain has sparked discussions about the future of Hardik Pandya in the T20I setup. However, the BCCI has made it clear that Hardik remains an integral part of the team and will continue to play a key role in the future.

Jasprit Bumrah Offers Insights on Hardik Pandya's Challenges as Mumbai Indians SkipperIndia's premier fast bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, has shed light on the challenges faced by Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya during the 2024 IPL season. In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Bumrah discussed the difficulties Pandya encountered and the importance of mental resilience in dealing with criticism and adversity.Pandya, who took over the captaincy from Rohit Sharma, faced intense scrutiny and frequent booing from fans, particularly at the Wankhede Stadium. The team's poor performance, finishing last in the IPL standings with only four wins in 14 matches, further exacerbated the situation.Bumrah emphasized the importance of blocking out negative thoughts, a strategy Pandya employed during the challenging period. He acknowledged the impact of fan reactions on players, especially when playing in front of a home crowd."It's not that simple saying 'just don't focus on it.' They're screaming, and you can hear it, but then, the inner circle helps you. We, as a team, don't encourage that, we don't promote that, we don't think that is warranted," Bumrah said.Bumrah highlighted the significance of team support and family during such times. "Now, the world can think what they want to. We as a team were talking to him, if he needed support, his family will always be there. Certain things are beyond your control. If it happens, it happens."The Indian pacer also pointed out the dramatic shift in public perception of Pandya following his outstanding performances in the T20 World Cup. However, he cautioned that the narrative could quickly change again with just one loss.Reflecting on the nature of sports and its emotional highs and lows, Bumrah remarked, "You understand it now, because we play a sport that is so popular, every sportsman will go through these things. In football, you see fans booing the best players in the world. This is a part of the sportsman's journey, things will happen that are not great, sometimes, it might not be fair also, but it is the way it is."Bumrah concluded by encouraging Pandya and others to take challenges in stride. "We have had a great life, we're doing good things in our sport and for ourselves. All these challenges will come, but it will be better if you take it in the right manner."

Suryakumar Yadav, the enigmatic T20 batter, has been appointed as the new captain of India's T20I team, marking a significant shift in leadership following the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the format. This decision, made under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, has sparked considerable discussion and analysis.Initially, Hardik Pandya, who served as vice-captain during India's T20 World Cup triumph, was considered the frontrunner for the captaincy. However, concerns over his fitness led the team management to opt for Suryakumar, widely regarded as the most consistent and impactful T20 batter in the lineup.The idea of promoting Suryakumar to captaincy was first considered during outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid's tenure, according to former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey. The new management, led by Gambhir, decided to implement this vision when the opportunity presented itself."We felt that here's a guy who's gonna have a long future in the T20 format. He has mastered that skill. One of the best in this format. He and Klaasen are maybe one or two in T20Is now based on their current form. Just the pure impact he has on winning games for India is phenomenal," Mhambrey told Hindustan Times.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar emphasized the importance of inputs from within the dressing room in making this decision. Mhambrey also pointed to Suryakumar's positive relationship with team members, particularly the younger players."He's been with the team. I've seen him interact with the young guys. On one hand, we had Rohit and Virat, guys who are stalwarts, and then we have Surya, who is experienced but probably even closer to the youngsters. He is very friendly with everyone. He has that respect from the younger lot. The youngsters need to interact with him, he's good at it. So, he has a good bond with everyone in the team," Mhambrey said.At 33, Suryakumar Yadav still has several years ahead in his cricketing career, potentially leading India in the next two T20 World Cups."He has a lot of cricket left in him. He has a good four-five years of cricket left in him. With all this, I think he is a great choice," Mhambrey added.This decision marks a pivotal moment in India's T20 cricket as it transitions to new leadership under a new coach and a captain who has shown remarkable talent and rapport within the team.