Cricket

India's chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, has shed light on the rationale behind the recent leadership appointments in the Indian cricket team. Suryakumar Yadav has been named as the full-time T20I captain, while Shubman Gill has been handed the vice-captaincy in the limited-overs formats.Agarkar emphasized that the decision to appoint Yadav as captain was based on his exceptional batting skills and leadership qualities. He highlighted Yadav's consistent performance as one of the world's top T20 batters and his ability to lead the team effectively.Regarding the decision to not appoint Hardik Pandya as vice-captain, Agarkar explained that the team management wants to manage his workload better. Pandya's fitness has been a concern in recent years, and the selectors believe that giving him additional leadership responsibilities could exacerbate this issue.Agarkar also discussed the grooming of Shubman Gill as a potential future captain. Gill has shown promising leadership qualities and is seen as a three-format player with the potential to succeed in all formats of the game.The selection panel also addressed the absence of Sanju Samson from the ODI squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Agarkar explained that KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant were preferred as wicketkeepers due to their recent performances and experience.Agarkar clarified that Ravindra Jadeja was not dropped from the ODI set-up but was rested to give opportunities to Axar Patel. He also mentioned that some Test players are likely to participate in the first Duleep Trophy game to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

Mohammed Shami Opens Up About Hardik Pandya's Outburst, Expresses Shock Over Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli's T20I RetirementsIndian pacer Mohammed Shami has shed light on an incident during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 season, where then-Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya shouted at him. Shami revealed that Pandya lost his cool after the senior bowler failed to catch a ball while fielding at third man."I usually don't respond to such things, but when things get too bad, then I do speak up," Shami said on Shubhankar Mishra's YouTube channel. "We have a good connection and are friends. He didn't realize it at that moment. We've known each other for almost 10 years. He told me, 'I swear, I don't know what I've said.'"Shami emphasized the importance of controlling emotions on the field, especially with millions of viewers watching. "Crores of people watch us on screen, we need to control our emotions," he said.In a separate interview, Shami expressed his surprise over the T20I retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. "Filling their places in the team is going to be a tough task," he said.Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is after India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2022, while Rohit followed suit shortly after. Kohli ended his T20I career as India's second-highest run-scorer in the format, while Rohit holds the record for the most centuries in men's T20Is.Shami's comments highlight the importance of maintaining composure on the field and the impact of senior players' retirements on the Indian cricket team.

Hardik Pandya's captaincy aspirations have been dealt a significant blow with the announcement of India's squad for the Sri Lanka tour. Despite expectations of being named T20I captain, the new management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, has opted for Suryakumar Yadav as the skipper.Gambhir's arrival as head coach has reportedly played a role in Pandya's omission, with the former India opener unconvinced by his consistency and fitness. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has also expressed concerns about Pandya's tactical awareness, a crucial attribute for a successful captain.Agarkar's reservations stem from Pandya's below-par international appearance percentage of 50% across T20Is and ODIs in the last 19 months. The selection committee believes he requires guidance and support, which he received from Ashish Nehra at Gujarat Titans but not from Mark Boucher at Mumbai Indians.The younger players in the Indian dressing room are also said to respond better to Suryakumar's leadership style than Pandya's. This feedback has further influenced the decision to hand the captaincy to the Mumbai Indians batter.Pandya's path forward is now uncertain. He must perform exceptionally well in the Sri Lanka T20Is to prove his worth. Additionally, he needs to play domestic cricket to improve his international appearance percentage.If Pandya aspires to represent India at the Champions Trophy next year, he must participate in the Vijay Hazare Trophy for Baroda in December. Despite the setback, Pandya's leadership ambitions are not over, as cricket is a game of unpredictable twists and turns.

With the ICC Champions Trophy looming on the horizon, concerns linger over Hardik Pandya's bowling fitness in the 50-over format. Despite his impressive performances in T20 cricket, Pandya's endurance in longer formats remains a question mark.Sources within the BCCI have revealed that Pandya's fitness will be closely monitored in domestic cricket over the next few months. The all-rounder has requested a break from the upcoming ODI series in Sri Lanka, citing personal reasons. However, his bowling workload will be under scrutiny in the Vijay Hazare Trophy later this year."While he has done exceptionally well bowling just four overs in T20 cricket after returning from his injury, Hardik hasn't been tested in longer formats. His endurance needs to be monitored," a BCCI source told TOI.Pandya's selection for ODIs is not guaranteed if he lacks the stamina to bowl longer spells. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee and head coach Gautam Gambhir have expressed reservations about handing him a leadership role due to his uncertain availability.Suryakumar Yadav was appointed captain for the T20Is in Sri Lanka, while Pandya was stripped of his ODI vice-captaincy, which was given to Shubman Gill."Hardik's batting has not been as explosive as it used to be. He played well in the T20 World Cup, but his true value comes through if he is bowling well and finishing his quota of overs," the source added.Pandya's injury history has been a concern, with his India comebacks often coinciding with ICC tournaments. He lost his place in T20 cricket after the 2021 T20 World Cup due to his inability to bowl at full throttle.With only six ODIs remaining before the Champions Trophy, the BCCI is keen to ensure that Pandya is fully fit and ready to contribute with both bat and ball. His workload will be carefully managed to avoid any setbacks that could jeopardize his participation in the prestigious tournament.

Hardik Pandya, India's enigmatic all-rounder, has been making headlines for both on-field performances and off-field controversies. Despite the recent turmoil in his personal life and the loss of the Indian T20 captaincy, Pandya remains focused on his fitness, which he believes is the key to unlocking his full potential.Pandya's fitness journey began at a young age, driven by his desire to excel in everything he does. With a strong base and a relentless work ethic, he developed exceptional physical abilities, including the ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 140 kph.However, as he progressed in his career, Pandya realized the importance of understanding his body and pushing his limits. He credits a video he watched as a 16-year-old for instilling in him the belief that his body is capable of more than he thinks."When our body does not get tired, our mind gets tired," Pandya said. "So, so many times in my life, the difference between when I was able to push my limits was always the fact that when my mind gets tired, I will tell my body to just push because you will always have extra effort in your body."Pandya's fitness philosophy extends beyond physical training. He emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and the ability to overcome challenges. "Start pushing your barrier every single day because the human body is such a lovely creation by god that it will mould however you want (it) to, however you want to have it, it's just that it just needs little hard work," he said.Despite his recent setbacks, Pandya remains optimistic about the future. He believes that his fitness will enable him to overcome any obstacle and achieve his goals. "I never knew what fitness would do to me, but it's just that I felt it that for me I always wanted to be No. 1 in everything which I do, so in a habit of that, I kept training a lot when I was young, I pushed myself a lot, ran a lot so I had a very good strong base," he said.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has expressed his support for Hardik Pandya as the T20I captain, following the appointment of Suryakumar Yadav as the skipper for the Sri Lanka tour. Kaif believes that Pandya's experience as a leader should have been considered by the selection panel.Kaif highlighted Pandya's successful tenure as captain of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, where he led the team to the title in their inaugural season. He also pointed out Pandya's experience as T20I vice-captain during India's triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup."Hardik has captained the Gujarat Titans for two years and in their first year itself, they made it to the final," Kaif said. "He has experience captaining the T20I side. He was also the vice-captain at the T20 World Cup."Kaif expressed his belief that the selection panel should have backed Pandya, given his proven leadership abilities. He also praised Suryakumar Yadav's qualities as a player but emphasized that Pandya's experience should have been given priority."I feel they should have backed Hardik," Kaif said. "He has not done anything wrong that he should not get the captaincy."Kaif acknowledged that fitness concerns may have influenced the selection panel's decision. However, he believes that Pandya's leadership skills and experience should have outweighed any fitness issues."He has experience, has captained in the IPL and leading a new team (Gujarat Titans) to a trophy, with fresh and young faces, is a huge thing," Kaif said. "He has made the Titans win by working from Ground Zero in the IPL...I think he was entitled to the captaincy."

Hardik Pandya's meteoric rise in Indian cricket has hit a sudden roadblock. After leading India to victory in the T20I series against West Indies, Pandya has been overlooked for the captaincy of the Indian T20 team for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. This decision has raised questions about his future in the team and his leadership abilities.The decision to appoint Suryakumar Yadav as the captain instead of Pandya is a clear indication that the selectors have lost confidence in his captaincy skills. This is a significant setback for Pandya, who was seen as a potential long-term captain for India.The Mumbai Indians, Pandya's IPL franchise, are also facing a dilemma regarding his captaincy. After a disappointing season under Pandya's leadership, the franchise is considering whether to retain him as captain or look for a replacement.Pandya's position is further complicated by the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the head coach of the Indian team. Gambhir is known to have reservations about Pandya's tactical acumen, which is crucial for an international captain.To make matters worse, Pandya's international appearance percentage has dropped to a subpar 50 percent in the last 19 months. This means that he needs to perform consistently in domestic cricket to improve his chances of selection for the Indian team.Despite these setbacks, Pandya remains a talented all-rounder with the potential to be a match-winner. He will need to prove his worth in the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka and in domestic cricket to keep his hopes of playing in the Champions Trophy next year alive.

Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic Announce Separation After Months of SpeculationIndian cricket star Hardik Pandya and his wife, Natasa Stankovic, have officially announced their separation after months of rumors and speculation. The couple made the announcement via an Instagram post on Thursday, confirming that they have "mutually parted ways."The news comes as a shock to many, as Pandya and Stankovic have been married for only two years. The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony in 2020 and welcomed their son, Agastya, in 2021.In their Instagram post, Pandya and Stankovic expressed their gratitude for the time they spent together and wished each other well in the future. They also requested privacy during this difficult time."We have mutually decided to separate. Natasa and I have been together for many years and it's been an incredible journey. We have a beautiful son together and he will always be our priority," Pandya wrote."We will continue to be friends and co-parent our son together. We ask for your understanding and support during this time," he added.The separation announcement has sent shockwaves through the Indian cricket community and beyond. Pandya is one of the most popular and successful cricketers in the country, and his personal life has always been a subject of intense media scrutiny.The couple's separation has also sparked speculation about the reasons behind their split. Some reports suggest that the couple had been facing marital problems for some time, while others speculate that the pressures of Pandya's cricket career may have played a role.Whatever the reasons, the separation of Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic is a sad end to what was once a fairy-tale romance. The couple's fans and well-wishers will undoubtedly be hoping that they can find happiness and fulfillment in their future endeavors.

India's Squad for Sri Lanka Tour: Gambhir's Influence and Key TakeawaysWith Gautam Gambhir taking over as India's head coach, significant changes have been made to the squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Gambhir's influence is evident in the selection process, with several key takeaways emerging:1. Hardik Pandya's Omission from Leadership GroupDespite being the vice-captain for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Hardik Pandya has been surprisingly omitted from any leadership role in the current squad. Instead, Shubman Gill has been named vice-captain in both the ODI and T20I formats. This decision raises questions about Pandya's future in the captaincy pecking order, potentially due to his injury concerns or his disappointing stint as Mumbai Indians captain.2. Shubman Gill's Promotion as Future CaptainGambhir appears to be grooming Shubman Gill as India's future captain in all formats. Gill's appointment as vice-captain in both squads, ahead of Pandya, suggests that Gambhir is looking towards the 2027 World Cup and beyond.3. Kuldeep Yadav and Abhishek Sharma Dropped from T20I SquadDespite his impressive performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Kuldeep Yadav has been left out of the T20I squad. This decision may be related to workload management, as Yadav remains in the ODI squad. Abhishek Sharma, who scored a century against Zimbabwe, has also been dropped, while Riyan Parag has been preferred over him.4. Gambhir's Faith in KKR PlayersSeveral players who have performed well under Gambhir's leadership at Kolkata Knight Riders have been included in the India squad. Shreyas Iyer, Harshit Rana (ODIs), and Rinku Singh (T20Is) have all been rewarded for their contributions to KKR's success.